I love this place. Awesome beer selection on tap all the time and they're always changing it up. The food never disappoints - always delicious. It's a real casual place, you can wear shorts and a t-shirt and not be out of place. Some have complained that the atmosphere is bland but I go there to have great food, great beer, and great service!
(5)
Ryne D.
Experimental dining combined with a large beer list = a fun time, but with a large bill. Let's start with the food...it ranged from average to excellent. I really liked my gumbo, which was served with sriracha of all things. It brought a nice spiciness and sweetness to the gumbo, which came in a pretty big but delicious serving. Tried the salmon which also had a surprising flavor, as did the potatoes that came with it. Sampled one of the specials which was a crusted chicken with sweet potatoes and cranberries. The chicken was a bit too dry here, making the bits of fruit it came with a necessity. The cheese fries were more like sectioned potato parts, barely fried but covered with a cheese unlike that which you'd find on loaded fries. They were pretty good with a flavor that none of us saw coming. See? Experimental. They had an extensive beer list, and when we found out that they served flights that were about the size of a shot glass, the four of us each got a flight of four of their beers: Dogfish Head Aprihop, Manayunk Festivus, 2006 Stone Double Bastard, and something else. I can't remember the fourth beer mainly because our waitress lied. They weren't shot glass sized...they were at least 5 ounces by our measurement. They all had interesting flavors, especially the Festivus, which I was convinced was part maple syrup. Overall, the food and beer were terrific. The only thing holding me back from the 5 stars is that I dropped near $40 for my food, a beer, and the flight. I'd still return...especially with Philly Beer Week coming!
(4)
R. M.
I really want to like this place. Nice service, decent prices, good atmospehre. The variety on the menu is good and the presentation is imaginative. But the food quality is pretty average. I had some of the worst mussels I've ever had - and the rest of our meal was failry institutional in quality. Decent selection of beer and wine, but it doesn't offset the rest. Had the same results before, so can't say I'll return.
(2)
Jim J.
This place is great! A friend recommended it to me for the creative menu. She was right. Excellent food, creatively done with generous portions. Now let's talk beer, better yet, let's drink some. At the Drafting Room you will never, and I mean NEVER be at a loss for a beer to try. They have (almost) everything. They even have Spaten Celebrator Dopplebock, which is hard to find. Plus they have a host of different seasonal beers on tap, and the selection constantly changes. Lots of scotch too, though I'm not a scotch drinker myself. Highly recommended.
(4)
Damien H.
Good Arnold Palmer, Excellent lunch menu, great service!
(4)
lee c.
I've been to the taproom once or twice. I always love their eccentric selection of beers. The last time i was there i got a troeg's oatmeal stout mmmmm. The atmospere is simple and suburban-ish, but fortunately, doesn't feel like you're at the Applebee's bar or something like that. There is a restaurant attached and i've heard good things about it, but i've yet to eat there.
(4)
James W.
The Drafting Room is a staple for beer lovers in the Chester County area. Voted one of the "Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America" (based on BeerFly Reviews - link at bottom of this review), the Drafting Room goes well above and beyond to ensure its draughts are different, desirable, and delicious. In 2007 alone, they tapped 313 different beers, most from well-regarded US microbreweries, with a focus on Mid-Atlantic brews from Sly Fox, Victory, Brooklyn, Weyerbacher, Oomegang, and others (see their site for the full 2007 list). As Erin mentioned in her review they always have Lindemans' Lambics on draught (though not always framboise), and their bottle selection is similarly exceptional. In short, The Drafting Room is probably the best taproom in the area for anyone wanting to surprise themselves with some excellent beer choices from the finest crafters in the US and beyond (although TJ's Everyday is making a run for it). The DR also occasionally hosts beer events there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, such as "Heavyweight Down for the Count" to say goodbye to the beloved NJ brewery and other tastings. These can get crowded but are a lot of fun and the people that are attracted are lively area beer aficionados. The icing on the cake is that the DR's food is great too. The nachos aren't the hugest I've seen but are perhaps the best in the area (they use the tri-color chips and put a layer of refried beans on the plate for dipping). They have an excellent weekend brunch buffet with many delicious choices such as made-to-order omlettes, roast beef, waffles, bread pudding, salmon, maki roll, bagels, home fries, mac & cheese, pastries, salads, etc. Seating can be scarce so be sure to make a reservation. They know how to make a good Bloody Mary so if you go for the brunch, give one a try. The waitstaff is universally cheerful and pleasant. Unlike most places, we tend to get in jokey conversations with our waitstaffers whenever we visit, because they seem so open, laid back, and approachable. They have a few outdoor tables in front of the bar area that I highly recommend if the weather permits. I've had a few wonderful evenings out there sipping great beers and munching on tasty appetizers. The only thing that is lacking, in my opinion (and those that I know that frequent the DR), is the decor. The DR has been very successful but they haven't updated their decor in a long time and I've heard their bar area described as "airport bar chic" (sarcastically). I share the opinion that it's time for them to roll some money into renovating and updating the worn & dated interior to enrich the overall experience, but this is a small gripe among so many positives. If you love beer and are in the area, you should also hit Victory Brewing Company, about 15minutes drive from the Drafting Room. Links: Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America: beeradvocate.com/acbw/20… Victory Brewing Company: yelp.com/biz/victory-bre… Heavyweight Down for the Count: brewlounge.com/2006/08/b… TJ's Everyday (about 15 Minutes from the DR): yelp.com/biz/tjs-everyda…
(5)
Sara G.
Great beer selection. However, we were disappointed with our meals (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts). It was all rather boring and bland and did not meet the expectations based on the menu. Maybe lunch is better, but we won't be trying this place again.
(2)
Aaliyah P.
Came here for the brunch buffet and the great beer options for the boy. Buffet has a great balance . Salads , bagels with lox, omelet station and so much more. They feature a lot more local options for beers which is great for your wallet but some Belgian goodies make their list as well. Chris had the hop wallop and i did as i always do a mimosa. As part of the buffet you get these amazing sticky buns. Though not a traditional bun it's just as gooey. It's a cross between baklava and a bun. It's made with puff pastry and is probably so bad for you. They only bring out enough buns for the table so one person . They also feature a Benedict while were there it was spinach and crab along with a ham one. I wasn't really a fan the hollandaise sauce was bland and the English muffin was super soggy. Chris ate the rest ( of course). I tried it and and won't make the mistake if ordering in when we come back. Another downside was the coffee tasted slightly old and bitter. For these two flops I deducted a star. The guy working the omelet station was super friendly. Our server was ok , very friendly though. Everyone who comes here on sundays does the buffet and at 17 pp it's a deal and then some . It's about 35-40 min from the de stateline and was pretty easy to find .
(4)
Maxine E.
Just came home from my Sisterhood's Closing Dinner at Drafting Room. We were so pleasantly surprised...everything was the best it could possibly be. The food and the choices were astounding, the drinks were plentiful and delicious, the ambiance was perfect, and the service was absolutely impeccable, swift, and friendly. Everyone raved about the evening. Thanks to the staff ...the owner, the cooks, and the servers, we had the best dinner! Hats off. If you have a large group and are looking for a special evening for your guests, this is the place!
(5)
Eric W.
OMG, dinner and a show! Friday night we decided for a family dinner and decided on the Drafting Room. Been here a number of times over the years it was always pretty solid, good variety, good quality and good service. What's happened? Walked in and requested a table for 4, the manager asked if we had a reservation. We did not but he sat us immediately at one of the many open tables...really? Ordered drinks, sodas for the girls and Cabernet for us. Possibly the worst red wine I've ever tasted. After a couple attempts, had to send it back. My wife opted for a Malbec and I went for a wheat beer, only to be be told they were out...went for the coke. Started with nachos and crab and spinach dip. Nachos were pretty good (same as Brickside) tomatoes on top were awesome. Crab dip was bland, thought it would be more creamy, not much flavor. At the table we had French Onion soup that was "enh". The ravioli (or whatever pasta it was) was under cooked and smothered under a pretty good sauce. The pasta hadn't absorbed any flavor from the sauce. The brisket was pretty good with the mashed potatoes. Huge salad with a little too much dressing. One part of the show was when the waitress brought out the candied goat cheese and apple salad, she went to set the plate down and the puck of cheese rolled off the plate. My wife asked what that was as it rolled by, and the waitress said "uhm, that was your goat cheese, I'll get you another one". She did but she left the other one splattered on the floor for the rest of our dinner. The show? We had a family next to us that had a young boy that unfortunately had a cough that made a sound I've never heard a human make before. His parents behaved as if nothing happened all night. Virtually impossible not to laugh our heads off. Another table came in on the other side and did the double take looks when they first heard the young boy as it seemed he may cough up a lung at any moment. Even though we were nice about sending back the first wine, it still showed up on the bill. It was worth the $13 for the incredible laughs we had as a family. Good times but we'll be dropping the Drafting Room way down our list of places to eat.
(2)
David C.
The Drafting Room has become one of our family's favorite restaurants in the Exton area. They offer a varied and creative regular menu as well as top notch specials every day. They have craft beers on tap and a great selection of other beverages. The cost is reasonable for the quality of the food. They have the best mushroom soup on the planet! We joined their cashback program and love getting money back from each check when we dine. We will be there for Mother's Day brunch as we are every year. I often have midday business meetings here and enjoy the quiet environment of the dining room, while also taking in the happiest of happy hours on a Friday afternoon in their bar area.
(5)
B. E.
Yuck. I know the beer list is supposed to be great, but as far as food is concerned, forget it. The dining area is very dark. The tables, chairs and carpet are littered with crumbs. The food is.., well, they had a great mushroom soup. But my "hot ham wrap" was slightly warm on the outside and frigid on the inside. Next time another 45 seconds in the microwave, please. Not a place for good food or pleasant dining.
(1)
Kevin D.
Amazing line up of beers, attentive service and waitstaff. The food? Amazing. Insanely awesome nachos. They definitely have a great selection of grub to pair with their brews. Phenomenal atmosphere and must for craft beer advocates.
(4)
Kevin M.
This was my second time to the Drafting Room and it was a great meal and we had great service. Pros: The beer selection is insane. I had some really good brews. They brought out brad and butter before the meal which I always like, and for my main course, I went with the Chicken and Sausage. It was awesome. I loved it. Cons: The Decor. The dining room needs a facelift. They need a creative person to get in there and spice it up. They need a unique room that goes with what they are selling. All in all a great place that I will go to again.
(4)
Mark G.
The Drafting Room used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area. About 2 years ago I had a couple of so so dinners there so I stayed away. This past week I decided to give it one more shot. That will be my last time there unless something changes. The interior its starting to look run down. I also noticed that all the bartenders and servers I used to see there are gone. Not a good sign. The food was ok but not like it used to be. The one thing that did disgust me was my Caesar salad...it had about a dozen or so wilted pieces of lettuce that were disgusting. How hard is it to make sure the romaine lettuce isn't on the verge of rotten.
(2)
Jenna L.
Ambiance is a little old school. Food was decent. I had the turkey burger which was was really thick and topped with feta cheese and red peppers. My coworker ordered the turkey sandwich which looked better than mine. Another coworker got the Buffalo Chicken wrap which was HUGE and it looked delish. Our waitress was pretty rude - did not say one word to us the entire time and didn't acknowledge our order. Definitely would not go back.
(2)
Paige G.
I have been to the Drafting Room many times and it never seems to disappoint. The section of beers on tap is pretty extensive. The wild mushroom soup is always a must and has nice big chunk of mushrooms in it which I love. My favorites are the vegetable ravioli, hot roast beef and the moroccan chicken and couscous salad. My only complaint is that they should have more options to accommodate vegetarians on the menu. The desserts are delicious and all homemade. Their carrot cake is one of the best I have ever had.
(4)
Marc S.
Truly disappointing what was once one of my favorite restaurants is now a kitchen nightmare waiting for Gordon Ramsay to make his appearance asking WTF is going on!! Raw uncooked poached eggs served on uncooked untoasted English muffins. Just gross! Complain and got incinerated charcoal covered English muffins with eggs so over cooked the yolks were solid! Absolutely ZERO QUALITY CONTROL! stay home not worth $36 for brunch for two hit McDonald's and get yourself an egg mcmuffin or better yet go to Wawa! Either way save your money! Management argued that eggs were supposed to be over cooked .. Gordon Ramsay where are you when you're needed!!!
(1)
Gabriel A.
Tried this place out after many suggestions from friends. We went in one night about an hour or so before closing just to find that they were only serving a partial menu - we're not talking that late, it was like, 9:30 on a weekend. There was no mention of going down to a bar menu on the website so I was a bit annoyed by that. Something about 'surprise disappointments that could be totally avoided' really bother me. So, the dish I had picked out online wasn't available and I ordered a burger instead. The server seemed to have a very hard time understanding my burger and suggested that modifications couldn't be made? I told him I'm sure removing a single topping wouldn't cause the kitchen staff any issues... The rest of the meal we were generally ignored and the service wasn't great. I found the food to be overpriced for the quality. Unless there is a special reason to attend, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)
Laura R.
Been here a number of times for dinner and brunch. Always some new menu options and great beer selection. Tasty nachos, and my favorite is the chocolate chip challah French toast!
(4)
Michele N.
We have dinner here every Friday - it is the best food around. We generally go for the specials, they are unique and always very good. The pan seared Icelandic redfish was wonderful.
(5)
Julia M.
My boyfriend & I were in the area visiting with his parents and they made a reservation for us here for brunch. I am so glad they did! The place was very busy but they had our table ready when we arrived. I am not normally a big fan of buffets... But they offer a really nice brunch buffett. They had all sorts of "starters" including shrimp cocktail, ceaser salad, a couple of pasta salads, smoked salmon, and various breads. Moving on to the main event, they had breakfast items such as hash brown potatoes, belgian waffles, chocolate chip french toast, bacon, an omlette station, etc. And if you wanted lunch, they also had a couple of pasta options, chicken fingers, roast turkey, and roast beef. After all that, they had another table with fruit & desserts. Additionally, there were a couple of items on the menu that were included in buffet price that your server will bring out. One item is a crab & spinach benedict. Another is a plate of sticky buns... Yum!! Service was good, food was good... I would definitely go back! But if going for brunch, be sure to make a reservation!
(4)
Esra K.
The waiter was super nice and so was the owner. So, that part is great and lots of beers to choose from. However, the restaurant is very tired, needs painting redone and in serious need of good cleaning, window sills, bathrooms,... The food is at best mediocre and for the price, definitely not worth it. They are very nice people working there though. So their heart is in it, just need to make some changes.
(2)
Victoria W.
Love this place. Drinks are awesome. They don't skimp on the liquor. Food changes. Went there once and LOVED the food went there again and loved the food. Unique dishes, not the everyday joe crap.
(5)
Kevin K.
What a terrible meal. The food is simply prepared poorly. My cream of mushroom soup was warm, not hot, and tasted mediocre. The ribeye steak I ordered rare was RAW! My daughters pasta was COLD. The waitress we had was nice but badly trained. The way she talks seemed like she was barking at us, loud and intimidating. This place has seriously gone down hill. The only good thing at this place is the draft beer selection. Come here for a few pints at the bar and eat somewhere else.
(1)
Danielle F.
Every time we go to this place, we go because of the enticing beer selections, but time after time we leave disappointed by a complacent bar staff that makes you feel like an inconvenience. It's such a shame. The beer selection is second to none, but this time we had one drink and decided to spend our money elsewhere for dinner. This place has been consistent for sure, every time we go, we get a miserable bartender who seems like they'd rather be working on a slow night when they don't have to talk to people. All of the enticing beer in the world won't bring us back. The owners brother has a great place a few miles away, Brickside Grill, we went there instead...good beer, excellent food and the staff is consistently friendly and engaging!
(1)
Charles R.
Had a really good lunch. The moules frites has a good broth, could of used a little more garlic, and was topped with sweet potato fries. The fried chicken BLT was a piece of crispy chicken breast with 2 strips of crispy bacon. It also came with sweet potato fries. I would prefer the option of regular fires, not a fan of sweet potato anything. The raspberry iced tea lacked much flavor of raspberry, but the service was excellent and would go back again, especially for lunch. Think the food is a little better than the Brickside.
(4)
Adrian B.
Chopped Greek!! And the bread rolls here are really good - warm and crispy. Usually have a good selection of specials - but otherwise just get a steak and you will be happy.
(4)
Frankie V.
They have a very good selection of about 14 Micro Brews on tap. Most of which are from the local area. Reduced prices during happy hour. They also have a large selection of Micro Brew bottles on hand. I go their for the beer. I have eaten their "all you can eat mussels" on a Monday. They were very good. Lots of sausage and decent spice. The bartenders can be hit of miss. The guy is friendly and helpful. The girl is not. Perpetual PMS. I thought she was a man hater, but I have heard other women complain also.
(4)
J. C.
Went to drafting room today for Sunday brunch. We live up the street so often go there on a whim for random lunch, dinner, happy hours or brunch - but this time, we went with a couple of friends who also frequent the place. As we were leaving, we all looked at the check and all said - man what a reasonable price for such excellent food. It wasn't cheap, but even at 1:15 pm when the brunch ends at 2:00, everything was very fresh and service was excellent as usual.
(5)
Captain K.
Went on Valentine's day with my wife and son. Service was exceptional. Food was about or a little above average. Only two complaints with food: 1) Salmon was a bit undercooked and was really spicy, unusual for Salmon. 2) The fruit tart/studel was horrible. The pastry was so dense you couldn't cut it with the fork, then I tried a knife...that didn't work either. Pulled the fruit out of the pastry and ate just that with the one small scoop of ice cream it came with. The filling wasn't very tasty. The mushroom soup is amazing though!!!''
(4)
Nicole L.
The Drafting Room is a decent place if you're looking for table service, Belgian beers and dinner -- but it misses the mark much too often for it to become a regular hangout. Though they have a huge selection of beers and the cheapest Lindeman's fruit lambic in the area, the service is erratic and the food has plummeted in quality since our first visit. My biggest gripes are the sticky tables and menus, crumb-strewn chairs, and flies buzzing at the window. Honestly, a huge turn-off considering they're trying to push themselves as a decent restaurant.
(2)
Michael A.
Hands down the best beer and selection in the area. If you love IPAs then this is your spot. The owner seems to somehow procure some of the best vintages of hard to find and reserved beers, especially Sierra Nevada and trogues products. Food is awesome and the staff is attentive and pleasant. If I come to Exton I have to stop in no questions asked.
(5)
Michael P.
The beer selection is great and they feature unique and interesting microbrews. I like they offer the beer in 5, 10, and 16 oz pours. It makes it easier to sample many. The food was also very good. I tried the beef brisket - extremely tender.
(4)
Ryan G.
Zero stars. Very unclean and below average food.
(1)
Bill S.
We love it here. The beer is always new and refreshing. My new favorite part is the homebrew section, it is so much fun. The Nachos are amazing and will fill you up. This is our go to place when friends come to town. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and doesn't rush us out the door when we want to sit and chat.
(5)
Adam A.
Very good food for a decent price. We have been here many times. It's actually a special place for my wife and I because it was the restaurant we choose for our first date, as well as where I proposed to her. The managers are very nice and helpful.
(4)
Christina S.
I had dinner here with my boyfriend last week for the first time. I had reviewed the menu, and it looked like a place we would both like. It's a rather charming little restaurant. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed was the beer menu. Our waitress was was able to help both of us choose a drink that suited our taste. She even brought my boyfriend a taste of something before he committed to ordering it. We ordered the crab cakes and a special of the day--flat iron pork with Chipotle mashed potatoes, asparagus and charred tomatoes. The pork was cooked perfectly with a bourbon and brown sugar cream sauce that complemented it perfectly. The chipolte mashed potatoes were quite possibly the best part of the meal--I would go back just for them. My boyfriend enjoyed his crab cakes, and the rice they were served with was delicious. The service wasn't the best I've had, our waitress seemed distracted, but it was far from the worst we've had. All in all, we had a great meal, and we plan to go back soon!
(4)
Lauren J.
Friendly waiters, great food. Atmosphere is homey and could use some updating, but the rest of the experience is terrific!
(5)
Michael K.
Wife and I plus two kids had dinner here. We sat in the bar area, which we prefer to do here. this place is a Great spot in the area for good beers and quality food. The people in the bar area are always very friendly and good service! We ordered something we never had before which was the Asparagus fries. to be honest they were forgetable, not bad, just forgetable... BUT relax because the place is still great. Good menu, not too many items but good choices for everyone. My 3 year old got the chicken fingers and told me they were "yummy" so this place apparently is crushing it in the world of chicken fingers. Great burgers and wings! They always have very good soup as well. My wife often gets the candied walnut and goat cheese salad which is very good. I normally order something that enhaces my gut and goes with my beer so i dont order it much, but if you do want a good salad this one wont leave you disappointed. i think the arrival of some other restaurants have hurt the business here becuase it was a saturday and we were able to get a seat in the bar area which normally would be tough to do. But dont pass this place up for chain restaurants. Great homemade food, good drink selection...you will def get a better meal here than most places in the area!
(4)
Jessica K.
A great place to hang out with friends and family! I come here often for a beer or some food. Service is great! The only time I did experience bad service was when I went there on a Sunday for brunch which seems very chaotic to me. Anyways other than that a lovely place I really enjoy! Best food in the area of you ask me!
(4)
Charlene F.
Four of us had a fabulous lunch here today with outstanding service! The food was delicious! Mushroom soup, fried asparagus, bison burger, Rubin sandwich and Caesar salad with grilled blackened chicken....every bite was great! The service was A game and on point! Total experience was worth every dime!
(4)
Kate M.
Lots to love about this place. Thoughtful menu ideas that change up often enough to not get boring... Always have specials. There is bar side and a dining side and we have dined in both areas often. Bar area has a great happy hour with appetizer deals - spicy creole shrimp dip served hot is delicious with big pieces of shrimp with a side of crostini; Korean tacos yummy; much to choose from. My usually is a Cosmo - served icy cold and perfect; hubby gets beer from eclectic list that changes often. Staff is great - friendly, helpful with the menu and knowledgeable. Top notch and an asset to the Drafting Room. We go often - at least once a week. Never had a bad experience and if anything is not up to par it is addressed professionally and quickly. This place is a class act.
(5)
Tom S.
I had to take back a star. When I got back to my hotel room, I felt queasy and just assumed I had gotten some gluten cross contamination. When I rejoined my dinner companions today, the three of them each reported that they felt like they had eaten something "off". My conclusion is that this place needs a visit from Kitchen Nightmares.
I give it five. Admittedly, my standards aren't very refined. Good selection of crafts, and the best Blackened Steak Salad I have ever had! The live music was very good. Just a guy and his guitar. If I lived here, I would be a regular.
(5)
Sarah H.
Absolutely delicious food, although a little over-priced. I love a place with good craft beer, so this place rates high for me in that category. The beer there is very reasonably priced and is also the standard price for the area. The staff there are always very friendly and attentive, I have never had a bad experience there.
(4)
Suzann S.
I was here last Sunday for a late lunch and the server was very nice. Unfortunately, the first several beers my friend tried to order they did not have in stock which was confusing because they were all on the menu! The Drafting Room has a nice selection of foods both appetizers, sandwiches, salads, meals, as well as quite a variety depending on your palete. While the food certainly does not make me say, "This is the best sandwich ever." It was not bad either. Overall if you are looking for decent service this is a good place to grab lunch.
(3)
Steve H.
Consistently good food, great selection of draft and bottled beer, and an extremely friendly staff.
(5)
Sara B.
I'm not a huge beer fan (sorry), but with the impressively large selection available to me at the Drafting Room, I'm always able to find something I like. And, thankfully, they offer a good menu, too. The only thing I've ordered that I didn't like was the French onion soup. I normally love French onion soup, but The Drafting Room's take on it left me a little queasy. But hey, to each his own. Service is always friendly and efficient, and it's not too hard to get a table in the dining room, even on a busy weekend night.
(4)
Beatrice R.
I visted The Drafting Room tonight for the first time. It's hidden in a little plaza, and I almost drove by it. It's a romantic, rustic spot with a sports bar on one side and a welcoming dining room on the other. The waiter, although not so friendly, placed me at a comfy 4 person table near the back. I get tired of going out alone so this spot worked well for me since I was not front and center in the dining room. They also have seating outdoors although it's not much to look at. I don't recall seeing any flowers or decorations to m ake it attractive. Anyway, I ordered the crab & corn chowder as an appetizer. I ordered the bowl because it sounded so good. It's even topped with jalapeno spiced bacon...although it was almost TOO much of a kick for me. The chowder was pretty good...salty, creamy & full of carbs. It's tough to go wrong there. I didn't notice much crab, just a few strands here and there so that pissed me off. Don't advertise lump crab if it's not lumps of crab in the dish! I wouldn't get it again, but it was OK. Then I order the $25 ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and onion rings...yum. Anyway, it was annoying because the menu does not mention a side of steamed veggies so I was a bit suprised...in a good way...but it's still annoying when they don't fully disclose. The steak was humungo...layed over a bed of mashed potatoes with TWO...I repeat TWO onion rings. Really? Bummer, but I'm sure my hips will thank me for it. The steak was full of marbling so you only get about a 70/30 meat-to-fat ratio. The potatoes tasted almost instant...that stiff airy texture was noticeable. They may mix instant with real potatoes. Even that would have been OK if they were buttery or creamy, but that was not the case. I was definitely not impressed with this meal. The thing that I noticed most of all was that it took about 30 minutes to get all of that food out to me. They've got loads of prepared food back there, and that's why there wasn't that nice, fresh taste to the dishes. I may visit again at some time in the future but not anytime soon. Next!
(2)
John V.
Took the Chicken BLT off of the menu. Stupid move. It was a sure thing at TDR. Chicken livers......I don't think so. Calamari was also a no go.
(2)
Steve S.
I give it 3 stars primarily because they introduced me to Troeg's Trogenator and Hacker Pschorr hefeweizen. The bartender seemed almost annoyed to be there, but he was reasonably friendly when you got him to talk. Just not engaging like most bartenders, however his beer knowledge made up for that. The place does lose some stars for the rather bland food. It was probably the most boring ribeye that I've ever had. Was it bad? No, but it was just boring and totally unexceptional.
(3)
Patti B.
My husband and I and two friends dined at your restaurant last evening (Thursday) and were so disappointed with our meal. The soup wasn't hot (onion soup) and the fish and chips didn't taste fresh. In fact, the fish was very fishy for cod and we just couldn't eat it. We nibbled on a few french fries which were greasy and room temperature and left very disappointed and upset. We won't be going again in the near future. Too bad because the place has a nice atmosphere and the our waitress was very attentive. Patti
(2)
Ryne D.
Experimental dining combined with a large beer list = a fun time, but with a large bill. Let's start with the food...it ranged from average to excellent. I really liked my gumbo, which was served with sriracha of all things. It brought a nice spiciness and sweetness to the gumbo, which came in a pretty big but delicious serving. Tried the salmon which also had a surprising flavor, as did the potatoes that came with it. Sampled one of the specials which was a crusted chicken with sweet potatoes and cranberries. The chicken was a bit too dry here, making the bits of fruit it came with a necessity. The cheese fries were more like sectioned potato parts, barely fried but covered with a cheese unlike that which you'd find on loaded fries. They were pretty good with a flavor that none of us saw coming. See? Experimental. They had an extensive beer list, and when we found out that they served flights that were about the size of a shot glass, the four of us each got a flight of four of their beers: Dogfish Head Aprihop, Manayunk Festivus, 2006 Stone Double Bastard, and something else. I can't remember the fourth beer mainly because our waitress lied. They weren't shot glass sized...they were at least 5 ounces by our measurement. They all had interesting flavors, especially the Festivus, which I was convinced was part maple syrup. Overall, the food and beer were terrific. The only thing holding me back from the 5 stars is that I dropped near $40 for my food, a beer, and the flight. I'd still return...especially with Philly Beer Week coming!
(4)
Dave S.
I love this place. Awesome beer selection on tap all the time and they're always changing it up. The food never disappoints - always delicious. It's a real casual place, you can wear shorts and a t-shirt and not be out of place. Some have complained that the atmosphere is bland but I go there to have great food, great beer, and great service!
(5)
Marc R.
I have been here a couple of times. The beer list is very very good and reasonably priced. The burgers and steaks are good, haven't had anything else there (sorry). But for the love of God, would it kill you to smile Mr. Bartender? Seriously I get that you may be having a bad day-but don't bring me down. Summary-good beer, good food, bad attitude.
(4)
Haden D.
Great beer and gourmet food for a fair price. Specials and beer list change frequently. This is consistently good for the price. My wife and I frequent this place for date night, since we know we will always get a great meal for a good price.
(4)
Stephen Z.
Had a great meal here over the weekend and I'll definitely be back. I was here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure why it took so long to get back but I'm glad that I did. After a very long day spent in the car driving it was nice to get to Exton and the respite of the Drafting Room. I thought the menu was great and there were definitely some great specials, one of which I ordered. Even my "hard to please" mother enjoyed what she ordered. The service was attentive and profusely apoligized for a minor slip up. When the food arrived it was aesthetically pleasing and tasted even better. We did get there on the early side of dinner so there were still some empty tables but I'm told that this is the exception. Anyway, look forward to returning to the area so that I can get back to the Drafting Room.
(4)
Matt N.
I went to the drating room for the 4th time last night. I am a beer geek, so this place is pretty high on my list. Not only do they have beer dinners to pair the rare beers with menu items, but the taps rotate frequently and include many west coast beers that are to find in my neck of the woods like Pliny the Elder and Angel's Share. I once bought a growler filled with Ommegang Rouge and another w/ Founders Double Trouble. I was given a deal on them since the keg of Ommegang kicked three quarters into the growler. The food is good as far as pub grub goes, but I don't consider this the main reason to come here. I had fried calamari with aioli and my brother also split an order of potato skins topped with cheese and sliced bangers. The flavor was tasty but the batter was slightly greasy. I had a cheesesteak that was slightly dry before. I will definitely return and some of the specials like stout spiked filet sound interesting too. They have a cooler which is visible with a wide variety of bottles including some rare stuff like Weyerbacher Riserva and Old Rasputin XII. They will be having a Sierra Nevada dinner coming up with Edge of Darkness, Brown Saison and Triple which are draft only selections that is reasonably priced. I find the service to be great with one exception and the bartenders know the beers they serve which is a plus. I recommend the Drafting room for anyone who cares about beer.
(4)
John B.
Didn't eat here because I got way too full from beer. This place is freakin' great. Very tasteful selection of great draft. The place must have a group of awesome "beer sommeliers" who know what's good this time of season and bring seasonal, good beer from somewhat local breweries around all over the country. I had ottercreek russian stout (which I haven't had a chance to get draft since I moved away from New England area), awesome hop15 (great IPA), and manyunk winter ale (very nutty and hearty). Also the place has a rather impressive selection of single malt scotches. The only caveat? I had to drive back home (Center City) afterwards.
(5)
Kate D.
Like the previous Yelpers have stated, this place has a fantastic selection of brews. I have eaten here 4-5 times and have never been disappointed in the food. Very tasty and large portions. I particularly love the sweet potato fries. Hubby likes the mussels and frites as well as their fish and chips, which he is very particular when ordering anywhere. They do interesting salads as well - the moroccan chicken and couscous is one of my favorites, but again, it is a very large portion. Besides the selections on the menu, they always have a good variety of specials written up on the chalk boards. The food is creative and well-executed, and you won't walk out hungry or thirsty.
(3)
Party G.
Paulaner Salvator - that starts you off with 6 stars. In fact, they had a whopping JERABOAM of it for sale. Yes, it was indeed purchased on the spot. However, the dining room experience did not match. Food was ok, but nothing to make us want to return and I can get Salvator at Exton Beverage.
(3)
Peter A.
Went here on the advice of all the reviews. The beer selection is really something - some 50-70 choices of bottled beer, and a choice of 10-15 unique draft beers (only three of their draft choices are beers you would normally find in a store such as Sierra Nevada). Everything we bought was quite good - as I expected it would be. As far as food goes, it was pretty good, but we only had sandwiches and soups, so can't speak for the entrees. The burger for me was pretty average - I've had better at restaurants/ tap rooms much like this one. The cheese was very thin, and the burger looked like it very well may have been frozen. Bread was good though. So in terms of beer, it blows anything within a 250 mile radius out of the water. In terms of food, nothing too special, but still beats anything you're going to find in the Exxton area (at least in American food)
(4)
Rich G.
Great beer list (imagine that!) and great scotch list as well. Food has slipped slightly over the years, but the PB Pie is still the sh!t!!
(4)
Ben P.
While visiting from Chicago I was taken to the Drafting Room for lunch by my coworker who lives in the area. We did not visit to drink - just to eat. So my review is based on the restaurant portion and not the bar. The following things about my experience were outstanding: - Service - Cheddar cheeseburger w/ mushrooms - Fries - Sweet potato fries - Raspberry iced tea - Prices The burger was just fantastic. Angus, cooked perfectly, great bun, cheddar and mushrooms were delicious. They were also very accommodating when I asked for yellow mustard instead of dijon, and my dining buddy asked for honey for his sweet potato fries. The rest of the menu looked fabulous including salads and entrees, but unfortunately I was only hungry enough for one meal. There's not a single negative thing I can say about my experience. I will definitely be making a return trip the next time I'm passing through Exton.
(5)
Kara T.
We've been going to The Drafting Room for years (in multiple locations) and always had a really good meal, good service, and good drinks. We brought our parents there tonight, and while the service was a little spotty and the waitress perhaps a little TOO over apologetic for the kitchens missteps with our food (salad drenched in dressing, even though we ordered it on the side... Steak too rubbery to chew) it's not a typical problem here and the manager was very sweet and accommodating in taking the questionable item off our bill without us expressly asking for it. So all in all, we wouldn't hesitate in coming back. And the vindaloo mussels were AAAAMAZING.
(4)
Howard S.
Consistently one of my favorite restaurants in Exton.
(5)
Mark O.
Great beer selection. Way overpriced. Food is not bad. Place is looking run down.
(2)
Curt Q.
If you go to the Drafting Room just to try a new, interesting beer, you will never be disapppointed, even if you aren't impressed with the food. But the food is interesting and good enough to stand on it's own.
(4)
Jen H.
I have been going to the DR for ages - their beer selection is seriously extensive. My husband is a hard-core beer guy and he loves it. I enjoy a good Belgium ale on occasion myself. Their food is consistently delish - you have to try the mushroom soup, and the peanut butter pie, not necessarily in that order. :) Another reviewer said the decor is lacking - I was just talking about that the last time I was there. I'd like to offer to redo their decor - I'm not a designer but I'm design savvy - I wonder if Andrew(the owner) would accept? I bet I could give them a great makeover for way less than a trained designer - what do you think?
(4)
S M.
I've been here several times over the years. The beer selection keeps you coming back. The food has been inconsistent. They offer a nice variety on the menu there's just something lacking that's hard to put your finger on. I enjoyed the French Onion soup on my most recent visit. Service was good on the recent visit. The hostess was very accommodating when we dropped in with a party of 6 on a Saturday evening at 6. They do a good job of keeping the smoking to the bar area which is well away from the non-smoking dining area. I would definitely go there more often if they joined the ranks of Iron Hill, Victory and others by dropping smoking altogether.
(3)
Dick D.
Good beer selection. Good service. Good onion soup. Order the Big Fish sandwich; you won't be sorry.
(4)
Christine P.
It's around the corner from me so I frequent it often. I love certain things about the place: bloody mary's, mussels, buffalo wings, gumbo, burgers, sweet potato fries, soups. I find certain things on their menu fall short like their French Onion soup (I often wonder how they could mess that up) - they add something in there that I don't like. There are some sandwiches that are made fancier than they should but they will try to accommodate changes. The servers are generally upbeat and helpful. Great little place with modest prices. I bring friends there often - it covers a large range of palettes.
(4)
Erin K.
The simple fact that The Drafting Room always has Lindeman's Framboise (and very often has it on tap) should be enough. But it's not. The Drafting Room, besides having an incredibly impressive beer selection, has an incredibly impressive menu. The restaurant has a very non-tap room menu; though there are nachos as an appetizer (HUGE, almost embarrassingly so - but remember, this is a Tap Room too), you'll find everything from fondue to duck. And it's good!
(4)
Lisa K.
Great atmosphere, great beers and a menu that fills you with anticipation. Then the food comes and its just kinda bland. Sorry but I find this place a real dissappointment.
(2)
Nicole M.
The best selection of beer in the area! They have EVERYTHING here you could ever imagine. This place is great for happy hour and late night gathering. The food is great too!
(5)
Paige G.
I have been to the Drafting Room many times and it never seems to disappoint. The section of beers on tap is pretty extensive. The wild mushroom soup is always a must and has nice big chunk of mushrooms in it which I love. My favorites are the vegetable ravioli, hot roast beef and the moroccan chicken and couscous salad. My only complaint is that they should have more options to accommodate vegetarians on the menu. The desserts are delicious and all homemade. Their carrot cake is one of the best I have ever had.
(4)
Marc S.
Truly disappointing what was once one of my favorite restaurants is now a kitchen nightmare waiting for Gordon Ramsay to make his appearance asking WTF is going on!! Raw uncooked poached eggs served on uncooked untoasted English muffins. Just gross! Complain and got incinerated charcoal covered English muffins with eggs so over cooked the yolks were solid! Absolutely ZERO QUALITY CONTROL! stay home not worth $36 for brunch for two hit McDonald's and get yourself an egg mcmuffin or better yet go to Wawa! Either way save your money! Management argued that eggs were supposed to be over cooked .. Gordon Ramsay where are you when you're needed!!!
(1)
Chris L.
This place is definitely slipping backwards, and was disappointing for the money spent. Seems they are just going through the motions. Crab cakes were mediocre, and one had all kinds of shell left in it. Their flat iron steak came cooked as requested, but was totally ruined by an overpowering chimicharri sauce which was difficult to scrape off. I wonder if the staff has ever tasted this horrible dish? They could serve this sauce on the side if anyone wants it. Mashed potatoes were tasty but just looked like they were ladled on in a big pile....also luke warm. There are much better places for value & care to detail.
(2)
Howard S.
Consistently one of my favorite restaurants in Exton.
(5)
Mark O.
Great beer selection. Way overpriced. Food is not bad. Place is looking run down.
(2)
Eric W.
OMG, dinner and a show! Friday night we decided for a family dinner and decided on the Drafting Room. Been here a number of times over the years it was always pretty solid, good variety, good quality and good service. What's happened? Walked in and requested a table for 4, the manager asked if we had a reservation. We did not but he sat us immediately at one of the many open tables...really? Ordered drinks, sodas for the girls and Cabernet for us. Possibly the worst red wine I've ever tasted. After a couple attempts, had to send it back. My wife opted for a Malbec and I went for a wheat beer, only to be be told they were out...went for the coke. Started with nachos and crab and spinach dip. Nachos were pretty good (same as Brickside) tomatoes on top were awesome. Crab dip was bland, thought it would be more creamy, not much flavor. At the table we had French Onion soup that was "enh". The ravioli (or whatever pasta it was) was under cooked and smothered under a pretty good sauce. The pasta hadn't absorbed any flavor from the sauce. The brisket was pretty good with the mashed potatoes. Huge salad with a little too much dressing. One part of the show was when the waitress brought out the candied goat cheese and apple salad, she went to set the plate down and the puck of cheese rolled off the plate. My wife asked what that was as it rolled by, and the waitress said "uhm, that was your goat cheese, I'll get you another one". She did but she left the other one splattered on the floor for the rest of our dinner. The show? We had a family next to us that had a young boy that unfortunately had a cough that made a sound I've never heard a human make before. His parents behaved as if nothing happened all night. Virtually impossible not to laugh our heads off. Another table came in on the other side and did the double take looks when they first heard the young boy as it seemed he may cough up a lung at any moment. Even though we were nice about sending back the first wine, it still showed up on the bill. It was worth the $13 for the incredible laughs we had as a family. Good times but we'll be dropping the Drafting Room way down our list of places to eat.
(2)
Beatrice R.
I visted The Drafting Room tonight for the first time. It's hidden in a little plaza, and I almost drove by it. It's a romantic, rustic spot with a sports bar on one side and a welcoming dining room on the other. The waiter, although not so friendly, placed me at a comfy 4 person table near the back. I get tired of going out alone so this spot worked well for me since I was not front and center in the dining room. They also have seating outdoors although it's not much to look at. I don't recall seeing any flowers or decorations to m ake it attractive. Anyway, I ordered the crab & corn chowder as an appetizer. I ordered the bowl because it sounded so good. It's even topped with jalapeno spiced bacon...although it was almost TOO much of a kick for me. The chowder was pretty good...salty, creamy & full of carbs. It's tough to go wrong there. I didn't notice much crab, just a few strands here and there so that pissed me off. Don't advertise lump crab if it's not lumps of crab in the dish! I wouldn't get it again, but it was OK. Then I order the $25 ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and onion rings...yum. Anyway, it was annoying because the menu does not mention a side of steamed veggies so I was a bit suprised...in a good way...but it's still annoying when they don't fully disclose. The steak was humungo...layed over a bed of mashed potatoes with TWO...I repeat TWO onion rings. Really? Bummer, but I'm sure my hips will thank me for it. The steak was full of marbling so you only get about a 70/30 meat-to-fat ratio. The potatoes tasted almost instant...that stiff airy texture was noticeable. They may mix instant with real potatoes. Even that would have been OK if they were buttery or creamy, but that was not the case. I was definitely not impressed with this meal. The thing that I noticed most of all was that it took about 30 minutes to get all of that food out to me. They've got loads of prepared food back there, and that's why there wasn't that nice, fresh taste to the dishes. I may visit again at some time in the future but not anytime soon. Next!
(2)
John V.
Took the Chicken BLT off of the menu. Stupid move. It was a sure thing at TDR. Chicken livers......I don't think so. Calamari was also a no go.
(2)
Steve S.
I give it 3 stars primarily because they introduced me to Troeg's Trogenator and Hacker Pschorr hefeweizen. The bartender seemed almost annoyed to be there, but he was reasonably friendly when you got him to talk. Just not engaging like most bartenders, however his beer knowledge made up for that. The place does lose some stars for the rather bland food. It was probably the most boring ribeye that I've ever had. Was it bad? No, but it was just boring and totally unexceptional.
(3)
Marc R.
I have been here a couple of times. The beer list is very very good and reasonably priced. The burgers and steaks are good, haven't had anything else there (sorry). But for the love of God, would it kill you to smile Mr. Bartender? Seriously I get that you may be having a bad day-but don't bring me down. Summary-good beer, good food, bad attitude.
(4)
Haden D.
Great beer and gourmet food for a fair price. Specials and beer list change frequently. This is consistently good for the price. My wife and I frequent this place for date night, since we know we will always get a great meal for a good price.
(4)
Stephen Z.
Had a great meal here over the weekend and I'll definitely be back. I was here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure why it took so long to get back but I'm glad that I did. After a very long day spent in the car driving it was nice to get to Exton and the respite of the Drafting Room. I thought the menu was great and there were definitely some great specials, one of which I ordered. Even my "hard to please" mother enjoyed what she ordered. The service was attentive and profusely apoligized for a minor slip up. When the food arrived it was aesthetically pleasing and tasted even better. We did get there on the early side of dinner so there were still some empty tables but I'm told that this is the exception. Anyway, look forward to returning to the area so that I can get back to the Drafting Room.
(4)
Patti B.
My husband and I and two friends dined at your restaurant last evening (Thursday) and were so disappointed with our meal. The soup wasn't hot (onion soup) and the fish and chips didn't taste fresh. In fact, the fish was very fishy for cod and we just couldn't eat it. We nibbled on a few french fries which were greasy and room temperature and left very disappointed and upset. We won't be going again in the near future. Too bad because the place has a nice atmosphere and the our waitress was very attentive. Patti
(2)
Matt N.
I went to the drating room for the 4th time last night. I am a beer geek, so this place is pretty high on my list. Not only do they have beer dinners to pair the rare beers with menu items, but the taps rotate frequently and include many west coast beers that are to find in my neck of the woods like Pliny the Elder and Angel's Share. I once bought a growler filled with Ommegang Rouge and another w/ Founders Double Trouble. I was given a deal on them since the keg of Ommegang kicked three quarters into the growler. The food is good as far as pub grub goes, but I don't consider this the main reason to come here. I had fried calamari with aioli and my brother also split an order of potato skins topped with cheese and sliced bangers. The flavor was tasty but the batter was slightly greasy. I had a cheesesteak that was slightly dry before. I will definitely return and some of the specials like stout spiked filet sound interesting too. They have a cooler which is visible with a wide variety of bottles including some rare stuff like Weyerbacher Riserva and Old Rasputin XII. They will be having a Sierra Nevada dinner coming up with Edge of Darkness, Brown Saison and Triple which are draft only selections that is reasonably priced. I find the service to be great with one exception and the bartenders know the beers they serve which is a plus. I recommend the Drafting room for anyone who cares about beer.
(4)
John B.
Didn't eat here because I got way too full from beer. This place is freakin' great. Very tasteful selection of great draft. The place must have a group of awesome "beer sommeliers" who know what's good this time of season and bring seasonal, good beer from somewhat local breweries around all over the country. I had ottercreek russian stout (which I haven't had a chance to get draft since I moved away from New England area), awesome hop15 (great IPA), and manyunk winter ale (very nutty and hearty). Also the place has a rather impressive selection of single malt scotches. The only caveat? I had to drive back home (Center City) afterwards.
(5)
Rich G.
Great beer list (imagine that!) and great scotch list as well. Food has slipped slightly over the years, but the PB Pie is still the sh!t!!
(4)
Kate D.
Like the previous Yelpers have stated, this place has a fantastic selection of brews. I have eaten here 4-5 times and have never been disappointed in the food. Very tasty and large portions. I particularly love the sweet potato fries. Hubby likes the mussels and frites as well as their fish and chips, which he is very particular when ordering anywhere. They do interesting salads as well - the moroccan chicken and couscous is one of my favorites, but again, it is a very large portion. Besides the selections on the menu, they always have a good variety of specials written up on the chalk boards. The food is creative and well-executed, and you won't walk out hungry or thirsty.
(3)
Peter A.
Went here on the advice of all the reviews. The beer selection is really something - some 50-70 choices of bottled beer, and a choice of 10-15 unique draft beers (only three of their draft choices are beers you would normally find in a store such as Sierra Nevada). Everything we bought was quite good - as I expected it would be. As far as food goes, it was pretty good, but we only had sandwiches and soups, so can't speak for the entrees. The burger for me was pretty average - I've had better at restaurants/ tap rooms much like this one. The cheese was very thin, and the burger looked like it very well may have been frozen. Bread was good though. So in terms of beer, it blows anything within a 250 mile radius out of the water. In terms of food, nothing too special, but still beats anything you're going to find in the Exxton area (at least in American food)
(4)
Ben P.
While visiting from Chicago I was taken to the Drafting Room for lunch by my coworker who lives in the area. We did not visit to drink - just to eat. So my review is based on the restaurant portion and not the bar. The following things about my experience were outstanding: - Service - Cheddar cheeseburger w/ mushrooms - Fries - Sweet potato fries - Raspberry iced tea - Prices The burger was just fantastic. Angus, cooked perfectly, great bun, cheddar and mushrooms were delicious. They were also very accommodating when I asked for yellow mustard instead of dijon, and my dining buddy asked for honey for his sweet potato fries. The rest of the menu looked fabulous including salads and entrees, but unfortunately I was only hungry enough for one meal. There's not a single negative thing I can say about my experience. I will definitely be making a return trip the next time I'm passing through Exton.
(5)
Kara T.
We've been going to The Drafting Room for years (in multiple locations) and always had a really good meal, good service, and good drinks. We brought our parents there tonight, and while the service was a little spotty and the waitress perhaps a little TOO over apologetic for the kitchens missteps with our food (salad drenched in dressing, even though we ordered it on the side... Steak too rubbery to chew) it's not a typical problem here and the manager was very sweet and accommodating in taking the questionable item off our bill without us expressly asking for it. So all in all, we wouldn't hesitate in coming back. And the vindaloo mussels were AAAAMAZING.
(4)
Curt Q.
If you go to the Drafting Room just to try a new, interesting beer, you will never be disapppointed, even if you aren't impressed with the food. But the food is interesting and good enough to stand on it's own.
(4)
Party G.
Paulaner Salvator - that starts you off with 6 stars. In fact, they had a whopping JERABOAM of it for sale. Yes, it was indeed purchased on the spot. However, the dining room experience did not match. Food was ok, but nothing to make us want to return and I can get Salvator at Exton Beverage.
(3)
Sara B.
I'm not a huge beer fan (sorry), but with the impressively large selection available to me at the Drafting Room, I'm always able to find something I like. And, thankfully, they offer a good menu, too. The only thing I've ordered that I didn't like was the French onion soup. I normally love French onion soup, but The Drafting Room's take on it left me a little queasy. But hey, to each his own. Service is always friendly and efficient, and it's not too hard to get a table in the dining room, even on a busy weekend night.
(4)
Jen H.
I have been going to the DR for ages - their beer selection is seriously extensive. My husband is a hard-core beer guy and he loves it. I enjoy a good Belgium ale on occasion myself. Their food is consistently delish - you have to try the mushroom soup, and the peanut butter pie, not necessarily in that order. :) Another reviewer said the decor is lacking - I was just talking about that the last time I was there. I'd like to offer to redo their decor - I'm not a designer but I'm design savvy - I wonder if Andrew(the owner) would accept? I bet I could give them a great makeover for way less than a trained designer - what do you think?
(4)
S M.
I've been here several times over the years. The beer selection keeps you coming back. The food has been inconsistent. They offer a nice variety on the menu there's just something lacking that's hard to put your finger on. I enjoyed the French Onion soup on my most recent visit. Service was good on the recent visit. The hostess was very accommodating when we dropped in with a party of 6 on a Saturday evening at 6. They do a good job of keeping the smoking to the bar area which is well away from the non-smoking dining area. I would definitely go there more often if they joined the ranks of Iron Hill, Victory and others by dropping smoking altogether.
(3)
Dick D.
Good beer selection. Good service. Good onion soup. Order the Big Fish sandwich; you won't be sorry.
(4)
Christine P.
It's around the corner from me so I frequent it often. I love certain things about the place: bloody mary's, mussels, buffalo wings, gumbo, burgers, sweet potato fries, soups. I find certain things on their menu fall short like their French Onion soup (I often wonder how they could mess that up) - they add something in there that I don't like. There are some sandwiches that are made fancier than they should but they will try to accommodate changes. The servers are generally upbeat and helpful. Great little place with modest prices. I bring friends there often - it covers a large range of palettes.
(4)
Erin K.
The simple fact that The Drafting Room always has Lindeman's Framboise (and very often has it on tap) should be enough. But it's not. The Drafting Room, besides having an incredibly impressive beer selection, has an incredibly impressive menu. The restaurant has a very non-tap room menu; though there are nachos as an appetizer (HUGE, almost embarrassingly so - but remember, this is a Tap Room too), you'll find everything from fondue to duck. And it's good!
(4)
Lisa K.
Great atmosphere, great beers and a menu that fills you with anticipation. Then the food comes and its just kinda bland. Sorry but I find this place a real dissappointment.
(2)
Nicole M.
The best selection of beer in the area! They have EVERYTHING here you could ever imagine. This place is great for happy hour and late night gathering. The food is great too!
(5)
R. M.
I really want to like this place. Nice service, decent prices, good atmospehre. The variety on the menu is good and the presentation is imaginative. But the food quality is pretty average. I had some of the worst mussels I've ever had - and the rest of our meal was failry institutional in quality. Decent selection of beer and wine, but it doesn't offset the rest. Had the same results before, so can't say I'll return.
(2)
Jim J.
This place is great! A friend recommended it to me for the creative menu. She was right. Excellent food, creatively done with generous portions. Now let's talk beer, better yet, let's drink some. At the Drafting Room you will never, and I mean NEVER be at a loss for a beer to try. They have (almost) everything. They even have Spaten Celebrator Dopplebock, which is hard to find. Plus they have a host of different seasonal beers on tap, and the selection constantly changes. Lots of scotch too, though I'm not a scotch drinker myself. Highly recommended.
(4)
Damien H.
Good Arnold Palmer, Excellent lunch menu, great service!
(4)
lee c.
I've been to the taproom once or twice. I always love their eccentric selection of beers. The last time i was there i got a troeg's oatmeal stout mmmmm. The atmospere is simple and suburban-ish, but fortunately, doesn't feel like you're at the Applebee's bar or something like that. There is a restaurant attached and i've heard good things about it, but i've yet to eat there.
(4)
James W.
The Drafting Room is a staple for beer lovers in the Chester County area. Voted one of the "Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America" (based on BeerFly Reviews - link at bottom of this review), the Drafting Room goes well above and beyond to ensure its draughts are different, desirable, and delicious. In 2007 alone, they tapped 313 different beers, most from well-regarded US microbreweries, with a focus on Mid-Atlantic brews from Sly Fox, Victory, Brooklyn, Weyerbacher, Oomegang, and others (see their site for the full 2007 list). As Erin mentioned in her review they always have Lindemans' Lambics on draught (though not always framboise), and their bottle selection is similarly exceptional. In short, The Drafting Room is probably the best taproom in the area for anyone wanting to surprise themselves with some excellent beer choices from the finest crafters in the US and beyond (although TJ's Everyday is making a run for it). The DR also occasionally hosts beer events there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, such as "Heavyweight Down for the Count" to say goodbye to the beloved NJ brewery and other tastings. These can get crowded but are a lot of fun and the people that are attracted are lively area beer aficionados. The icing on the cake is that the DR's food is great too. The nachos aren't the hugest I've seen but are perhaps the best in the area (they use the tri-color chips and put a layer of refried beans on the plate for dipping). They have an excellent weekend brunch buffet with many delicious choices such as made-to-order omlettes, roast beef, waffles, bread pudding, salmon, maki roll, bagels, home fries, mac & cheese, pastries, salads, etc. Seating can be scarce so be sure to make a reservation. They know how to make a good Bloody Mary so if you go for the brunch, give one a try. The waitstaff is universally cheerful and pleasant. Unlike most places, we tend to get in jokey conversations with our waitstaffers whenever we visit, because they seem so open, laid back, and approachable. They have a few outdoor tables in front of the bar area that I highly recommend if the weather permits. I've had a few wonderful evenings out there sipping great beers and munching on tasty appetizers. The only thing that is lacking, in my opinion (and those that I know that frequent the DR), is the decor. The DR has been very successful but they haven't updated their decor in a long time and I've heard their bar area described as "airport bar chic" (sarcastically). I share the opinion that it's time for them to roll some money into renovating and updating the worn & dated interior to enrich the overall experience, but this is a small gripe among so many positives. If you love beer and are in the area, you should also hit Victory Brewing Company, about 15minutes drive from the Drafting Room. Links: Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America: beeradvocate.com/acbw/20… Victory Brewing Company: yelp.com/biz/victory-bre… Heavyweight Down for the Count: brewlounge.com/2006/08/b… TJ's Everyday (about 15 Minutes from the DR): yelp.com/biz/tjs-everyda…
(5)
Sara G.
Great beer selection. However, we were disappointed with our meals (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts). It was all rather boring and bland and did not meet the expectations based on the menu. Maybe lunch is better, but we won't be trying this place again.
(2)
Suzann S.
I was here last Sunday for a late lunch and the server was very nice. Unfortunately, the first several beers my friend tried to order they did not have in stock which was confusing because they were all on the menu! The Drafting Room has a nice selection of foods both appetizers, sandwiches, salads, meals, as well as quite a variety depending on your palete. While the food certainly does not make me say, "This is the best sandwich ever." It was not bad either. Overall if you are looking for decent service this is a good place to grab lunch.
(3)
Steve H.
Consistently good food, great selection of draft and bottled beer, and an extremely friendly staff.
(5)
Gabriel A.
Tried this place out after many suggestions from friends. We went in one night about an hour or so before closing just to find that they were only serving a partial menu - we're not talking that late, it was like, 9:30 on a weekend. There was no mention of going down to a bar menu on the website so I was a bit annoyed by that. Something about 'surprise disappointments that could be totally avoided' really bother me. So, the dish I had picked out online wasn't available and I ordered a burger instead. The server seemed to have a very hard time understanding my burger and suggested that modifications couldn't be made? I told him I'm sure removing a single topping wouldn't cause the kitchen staff any issues... The rest of the meal we were generally ignored and the service wasn't great. I found the food to be overpriced for the quality. Unless there is a special reason to attend, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)
Julia M.
My boyfriend & I were in the area visiting with his parents and they made a reservation for us here for brunch. I am so glad they did! The place was very busy but they had our table ready when we arrived. I am not normally a big fan of buffets... But they offer a really nice brunch buffett. They had all sorts of "starters" including shrimp cocktail, ceaser salad, a couple of pasta salads, smoked salmon, and various breads. Moving on to the main event, they had breakfast items such as hash brown potatoes, belgian waffles, chocolate chip french toast, bacon, an omlette station, etc. And if you wanted lunch, they also had a couple of pasta options, chicken fingers, roast turkey, and roast beef. After all that, they had another table with fruit & desserts. Additionally, there were a couple of items on the menu that were included in buffet price that your server will bring out. One item is a crab & spinach benedict. Another is a plate of sticky buns... Yum!! Service was good, food was good... I would definitely go back! But if going for brunch, be sure to make a reservation!
(4)
Esra K.
The waiter was super nice and so was the owner. So, that part is great and lots of beers to choose from. However, the restaurant is very tired, needs painting redone and in serious need of good cleaning, window sills, bathrooms,... The food is at best mediocre and for the price, definitely not worth it. They are very nice people working there though. So their heart is in it, just need to make some changes.
(2)
Victoria W.
Love this place. Drinks are awesome. They don't skimp on the liquor. Food changes. Went there once and LOVED the food went there again and loved the food. Unique dishes, not the everyday joe crap.
(5)
J. C.
Went to drafting room today for Sunday brunch. We live up the street so often go there on a whim for random lunch, dinner, happy hours or brunch - but this time, we went with a couple of friends who also frequent the place. As we were leaving, we all looked at the check and all said - man what a reasonable price for such excellent food. It wasn't cheap, but even at 1:15 pm when the brunch ends at 2:00, everything was very fresh and service was excellent as usual.
(5)
Christina S.
I had dinner here with my boyfriend last week for the first time. I had reviewed the menu, and it looked like a place we would both like. It's a rather charming little restaurant. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed was the beer menu. Our waitress was was able to help both of us choose a drink that suited our taste. She even brought my boyfriend a taste of something before he committed to ordering it. We ordered the crab cakes and a special of the day--flat iron pork with Chipotle mashed potatoes, asparagus and charred tomatoes. The pork was cooked perfectly with a bourbon and brown sugar cream sauce that complemented it perfectly. The chipolte mashed potatoes were quite possibly the best part of the meal--I would go back just for them. My boyfriend enjoyed his crab cakes, and the rice they were served with was delicious. The service wasn't the best I've had, our waitress seemed distracted, but it was far from the worst we've had. All in all, we had a great meal, and we plan to go back soon!
(4)
Lauren J.
Friendly waiters, great food. Atmosphere is homey and could use some updating, but the rest of the experience is terrific!
(5)
Michael K.
Wife and I plus two kids had dinner here. We sat in the bar area, which we prefer to do here. this place is a Great spot in the area for good beers and quality food. The people in the bar area are always very friendly and good service! We ordered something we never had before which was the Asparagus fries. to be honest they were forgetable, not bad, just forgetable... BUT relax because the place is still great. Good menu, not too many items but good choices for everyone. My 3 year old got the chicken fingers and told me they were "yummy" so this place apparently is crushing it in the world of chicken fingers. Great burgers and wings! They always have very good soup as well. My wife often gets the candied walnut and goat cheese salad which is very good. I normally order something that enhaces my gut and goes with my beer so i dont order it much, but if you do want a good salad this one wont leave you disappointed. i think the arrival of some other restaurants have hurt the business here becuase it was a saturday and we were able to get a seat in the bar area which normally would be tough to do. But dont pass this place up for chain restaurants. Great homemade food, good drink selection...you will def get a better meal here than most places in the area!
(4)
Jessica K.
A great place to hang out with friends and family! I come here often for a beer or some food. Service is great! The only time I did experience bad service was when I went there on a Sunday for brunch which seems very chaotic to me. Anyways other than that a lovely place I really enjoy! Best food in the area of you ask me!
(4)
Charlene F.
Four of us had a fabulous lunch here today with outstanding service! The food was delicious! Mushroom soup, fried asparagus, bison burger, Rubin sandwich and Caesar salad with grilled blackened chicken....every bite was great! The service was A game and on point! Total experience was worth every dime!
(4)
Captain K.
Went on Valentine's day with my wife and son. Service was exceptional. Food was about or a little above average. Only two complaints with food: 1) Salmon was a bit undercooked and was really spicy, unusual for Salmon. 2) The fruit tart/studel was horrible. The pastry was so dense you couldn't cut it with the fork, then I tried a knife...that didn't work either. Pulled the fruit out of the pastry and ate just that with the one small scoop of ice cream it came with. The filling wasn't very tasty. The mushroom soup is amazing though!!!''
(4)
Kate M.
Lots to love about this place. Thoughtful menu ideas that change up often enough to not get boring... Always have specials. There is bar side and a dining side and we have dined in both areas often. Bar area has a great happy hour with appetizer deals - spicy creole shrimp dip served hot is delicious with big pieces of shrimp with a side of crostini; Korean tacos yummy; much to choose from. My usually is a Cosmo - served icy cold and perfect; hubby gets beer from eclectic list that changes often. Staff is great - friendly, helpful with the menu and knowledgeable. Top notch and an asset to the Drafting Room. We go often - at least once a week. Never had a bad experience and if anything is not up to par it is addressed professionally and quickly. This place is a class act.
(5)
Tom S.
I had to take back a star. When I got back to my hotel room, I felt queasy and just assumed I had gotten some gluten cross contamination. When I rejoined my dinner companions today, the three of them each reported that they felt like they had eaten something "off". My conclusion is that this place needs a visit from Kitchen Nightmares.
(1)
Michael A.
Hands down the best beer and selection in the area. If you love IPAs then this is your spot. The owner seems to somehow procure some of the best vintages of hard to find and reserved beers, especially Sierra Nevada and trogues products. Food is awesome and the staff is attentive and pleasant. If I come to Exton I have to stop in no questions asked.
I give it five. Admittedly, my standards aren't very refined. Good selection of crafts, and the best Blackened Steak Salad I have ever had! The live music was very good. Just a guy and his guitar. If I lived here, I would be a regular.
(5)
Sarah H.
Absolutely delicious food, although a little over-priced. I love a place with good craft beer, so this place rates high for me in that category. The beer there is very reasonably priced and is also the standard price for the area. The staff there are always very friendly and attentive, I have never had a bad experience there.
(4)
Charles R.
Had a really good lunch. The moules frites has a good broth, could of used a little more garlic, and was topped with sweet potato fries. The fried chicken BLT was a piece of crispy chicken breast with 2 strips of crispy bacon. It also came with sweet potato fries. I would prefer the option of regular fires, not a fan of sweet potato anything. The raspberry iced tea lacked much flavor of raspberry, but the service was excellent and would go back again, especially for lunch. Think the food is a little better than the Brickside.
(4)
Laura R.
Been here a number of times for dinner and brunch. Always some new menu options and great beer selection. Tasty nachos, and my favorite is the chocolate chip challah French toast!
(4)
Michele N.
We have dinner here every Friday - it is the best food around. We generally go for the specials, they are unique and always very good. The pan seared Icelandic redfish was wonderful.
(5)
Kevin K.
What a terrible meal. The food is simply prepared poorly. My cream of mushroom soup was warm, not hot, and tasted mediocre. The ribeye steak I ordered rare was RAW! My daughters pasta was COLD. The waitress we had was nice but badly trained. The way she talks seemed like she was barking at us, loud and intimidating. This place has seriously gone down hill. The only good thing at this place is the draft beer selection. Come here for a few pints at the bar and eat somewhere else.
(1)
Danielle F.
Every time we go to this place, we go because of the enticing beer selections, but time after time we leave disappointed by a complacent bar staff that makes you feel like an inconvenience. It's such a shame. The beer selection is second to none, but this time we had one drink and decided to spend our money elsewhere for dinner. This place has been consistent for sure, every time we go, we get a miserable bartender who seems like they'd rather be working on a slow night when they don't have to talk to people. All of the enticing beer in the world won't bring us back. The owners brother has a great place a few miles away, Brickside Grill, we went there instead...good beer, excellent food and the staff is consistently friendly and engaging!
(1)
Adrian B.
Chopped Greek!! And the bread rolls here are really good - warm and crispy. Usually have a good selection of specials - but otherwise just get a steak and you will be happy.
(4)
Maxine E.
Just came home from my Sisterhood's Closing Dinner at Drafting Room. We were so pleasantly surprised...everything was the best it could possibly be. The food and the choices were astounding, the drinks were plentiful and delicious, the ambiance was perfect, and the service was absolutely impeccable, swift, and friendly. Everyone raved about the evening. Thanks to the staff ...the owner, the cooks, and the servers, we had the best dinner! Hats off. If you have a large group and are looking for a special evening for your guests, this is the place!
(5)
Aaliyah P.
Came here for the brunch buffet and the great beer options for the boy. Buffet has a great balance . Salads , bagels with lox, omelet station and so much more. They feature a lot more local options for beers which is great for your wallet but some Belgian goodies make their list as well. Chris had the hop wallop and i did as i always do a mimosa. As part of the buffet you get these amazing sticky buns. Though not a traditional bun it's just as gooey. It's a cross between baklava and a bun. It's made with puff pastry and is probably so bad for you. They only bring out enough buns for the table so one person . They also feature a Benedict while were there it was spinach and crab along with a ham one. I wasn't really a fan the hollandaise sauce was bland and the English muffin was super soggy. Chris ate the rest ( of course). I tried it and and won't make the mistake if ordering in when we come back. Another downside was the coffee tasted slightly old and bitter. For these two flops I deducted a star. The guy working the omelet station was super friendly. Our server was ok , very friendly though. Everyone who comes here on sundays does the buffet and at 17 pp it's a deal and then some . It's about 35-40 min from the de stateline and was pretty easy to find .
(4)
Frankie V.
They have a very good selection of about 14 Micro Brews on tap. Most of which are from the local area. Reduced prices during happy hour. They also have a large selection of Micro Brew bottles on hand. I go their for the beer. I have eaten their "all you can eat mussels" on a Monday. They were very good. Lots of sausage and decent spice. The bartenders can be hit of miss. The guy is friendly and helpful. The girl is not. Perpetual PMS. I thought she was a man hater, but I have heard other women complain also.
(4)
Nicole L.
The Drafting Room is a decent place if you're looking for table service, Belgian beers and dinner -- but it misses the mark much too often for it to become a regular hangout. Though they have a huge selection of beers and the cheapest Lindeman's fruit lambic in the area, the service is erratic and the food has plummeted in quality since our first visit. My biggest gripes are the sticky tables and menus, crumb-strewn chairs, and flies buzzing at the window. Honestly, a huge turn-off considering they're trying to push themselves as a decent restaurant.
(2)
Michael P.
The beer selection is great and they feature unique and interesting microbrews. I like they offer the beer in 5, 10, and 16 oz pours. It makes it easier to sample many. The food was also very good. I tried the beef brisket - extremely tender.
(4)
Ryan G.
Zero stars. Very unclean and below average food.
(1)
Bill S.
We love it here. The beer is always new and refreshing. My new favorite part is the homebrew section, it is so much fun. The Nachos are amazing and will fill you up. This is our go to place when friends come to town. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and doesn't rush us out the door when we want to sit and chat.
(5)
Adam A.
Very good food for a decent price. We have been here many times. It's actually a special place for my wife and I because it was the restaurant we choose for our first date, as well as where I proposed to her. The managers are very nice and helpful.
(4)
David C.
The Drafting Room has become one of our family's favorite restaurants in the Exton area. They offer a varied and creative regular menu as well as top notch specials every day. They have craft beers on tap and a great selection of other beverages. The cost is reasonable for the quality of the food. They have the best mushroom soup on the planet! We joined their cashback program and love getting money back from each check when we dine. We will be there for Mother's Day brunch as we are every year. I often have midday business meetings here and enjoy the quiet environment of the dining room, while also taking in the happiest of happy hours on a Friday afternoon in their bar area.
(5)
B. E.
Yuck. I know the beer list is supposed to be great, but as far as food is concerned, forget it. The dining area is very dark. The tables, chairs and carpet are littered with crumbs. The food is.., well, they had a great mushroom soup. But my "hot ham wrap" was slightly warm on the outside and frigid on the inside. Next time another 45 seconds in the microwave, please. Not a place for good food or pleasant dining.
(1)
Kevin D.
Amazing line up of beers, attentive service and waitstaff. The food? Amazing. Insanely awesome nachos. They definitely have a great selection of grub to pair with their brews. Phenomenal atmosphere and must for craft beer advocates.
(4)
Kevin M.
This was my second time to the Drafting Room and it was a great meal and we had great service. Pros: The beer selection is insane. I had some really good brews. They brought out brad and butter before the meal which I always like, and for my main course, I went with the Chicken and Sausage. It was awesome. I loved it. Cons: The Decor. The dining room needs a facelift. They need a creative person to get in there and spice it up. They need a unique room that goes with what they are selling. All in all a great place that I will go to again.
(4)
Mark G.
The Drafting Room used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area. About 2 years ago I had a couple of so so dinners there so I stayed away. This past week I decided to give it one more shot. That will be my last time there unless something changes. The interior its starting to look run down. I also noticed that all the bartenders and servers I used to see there are gone. Not a good sign. The food was ok but not like it used to be. The one thing that did disgust me was my Caesar salad...it had about a dozen or so wilted pieces of lettuce that were disgusting. How hard is it to make sure the romaine lettuce isn't on the verge of rotten.
(2)
Jenna L.
Ambiance is a little old school. Food was decent. I had the turkey burger which was was really thick and topped with feta cheese and red peppers. My coworker ordered the turkey sandwich which looked better than mine. Another coworker got the Buffalo Chicken wrap which was HUGE and it looked delish. Our waitress was pretty rude - did not say one word to us the entire time and didn't acknowledge our order. Definitely would not go back.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Dave S.
I love this place. Awesome beer selection on tap all the time and they're always changing it up. The food never disappoints - always delicious. It's a real casual place, you can wear shorts and a t-shirt and not be out of place. Some have complained that the atmosphere is bland but I go there to have great food, great beer, and great service!
(5)Ryne D.
Experimental dining combined with a large beer list = a fun time, but with a large bill. Let's start with the food...it ranged from average to excellent. I really liked my gumbo, which was served with sriracha of all things. It brought a nice spiciness and sweetness to the gumbo, which came in a pretty big but delicious serving. Tried the salmon which also had a surprising flavor, as did the potatoes that came with it. Sampled one of the specials which was a crusted chicken with sweet potatoes and cranberries. The chicken was a bit too dry here, making the bits of fruit it came with a necessity. The cheese fries were more like sectioned potato parts, barely fried but covered with a cheese unlike that which you'd find on loaded fries. They were pretty good with a flavor that none of us saw coming. See? Experimental. They had an extensive beer list, and when we found out that they served flights that were about the size of a shot glass, the four of us each got a flight of four of their beers: Dogfish Head Aprihop, Manayunk Festivus, 2006 Stone Double Bastard, and something else. I can't remember the fourth beer mainly because our waitress lied. They weren't shot glass sized...they were at least 5 ounces by our measurement. They all had interesting flavors, especially the Festivus, which I was convinced was part maple syrup. Overall, the food and beer were terrific. The only thing holding me back from the 5 stars is that I dropped near $40 for my food, a beer, and the flight. I'd still return...especially with Philly Beer Week coming!
(4)R. M.
I really want to like this place. Nice service, decent prices, good atmospehre. The variety on the menu is good and the presentation is imaginative. But the food quality is pretty average. I had some of the worst mussels I've ever had - and the rest of our meal was failry institutional in quality. Decent selection of beer and wine, but it doesn't offset the rest. Had the same results before, so can't say I'll return.
(2)Jim J.
This place is great! A friend recommended it to me for the creative menu. She was right. Excellent food, creatively done with generous portions. Now let's talk beer, better yet, let's drink some. At the Drafting Room you will never, and I mean NEVER be at a loss for a beer to try. They have (almost) everything. They even have Spaten Celebrator Dopplebock, which is hard to find. Plus they have a host of different seasonal beers on tap, and the selection constantly changes. Lots of scotch too, though I'm not a scotch drinker myself. Highly recommended.
(4)Damien H.
Good Arnold Palmer, Excellent lunch menu, great service!
(4)lee c.
I've been to the taproom once or twice. I always love their eccentric selection of beers. The last time i was there i got a troeg's oatmeal stout mmmmm. The atmospere is simple and suburban-ish, but fortunately, doesn't feel like you're at the Applebee's bar or something like that. There is a restaurant attached and i've heard good things about it, but i've yet to eat there.
(4)James W.
The Drafting Room is a staple for beer lovers in the Chester County area. Voted one of the "Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America" (based on BeerFly Reviews - link at bottom of this review), the Drafting Room goes well above and beyond to ensure its draughts are different, desirable, and delicious. In 2007 alone, they tapped 313 different beers, most from well-regarded US microbreweries, with a focus on Mid-Atlantic brews from Sly Fox, Victory, Brooklyn, Weyerbacher, Oomegang, and others (see their site for the full 2007 list). As Erin mentioned in her review they always have Lindemans' Lambics on draught (though not always framboise), and their bottle selection is similarly exceptional. In short, The Drafting Room is probably the best taproom in the area for anyone wanting to surprise themselves with some excellent beer choices from the finest crafters in the US and beyond (although TJ's Everyday is making a run for it). The DR also occasionally hosts beer events there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, such as "Heavyweight Down for the Count" to say goodbye to the beloved NJ brewery and other tastings. These can get crowded but are a lot of fun and the people that are attracted are lively area beer aficionados. The icing on the cake is that the DR's food is great too. The nachos aren't the hugest I've seen but are perhaps the best in the area (they use the tri-color chips and put a layer of refried beans on the plate for dipping). They have an excellent weekend brunch buffet with many delicious choices such as made-to-order omlettes, roast beef, waffles, bread pudding, salmon, maki roll, bagels, home fries, mac & cheese, pastries, salads, etc. Seating can be scarce so be sure to make a reservation. They know how to make a good Bloody Mary so if you go for the brunch, give one a try. The waitstaff is universally cheerful and pleasant. Unlike most places, we tend to get in jokey conversations with our waitstaffers whenever we visit, because they seem so open, laid back, and approachable. They have a few outdoor tables in front of the bar area that I highly recommend if the weather permits. I've had a few wonderful evenings out there sipping great beers and munching on tasty appetizers. The only thing that is lacking, in my opinion (and those that I know that frequent the DR), is the decor. The DR has been very successful but they haven't updated their decor in a long time and I've heard their bar area described as "airport bar chic" (sarcastically). I share the opinion that it's time for them to roll some money into renovating and updating the worn & dated interior to enrich the overall experience, but this is a small gripe among so many positives. If you love beer and are in the area, you should also hit Victory Brewing Company, about 15minutes drive from the Drafting Room. Links: Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America: beeradvocate.com/acbw/20… Victory Brewing Company: yelp.com/biz/victory-bre… Heavyweight Down for the Count: brewlounge.com/2006/08/b… TJ's Everyday (about 15 Minutes from the DR): yelp.com/biz/tjs-everyda…
(5)Sara G.
Great beer selection. However, we were disappointed with our meals (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts). It was all rather boring and bland and did not meet the expectations based on the menu. Maybe lunch is better, but we won't be trying this place again.
(2)Aaliyah P.
Came here for the brunch buffet and the great beer options for the boy. Buffet has a great balance . Salads , bagels with lox, omelet station and so much more. They feature a lot more local options for beers which is great for your wallet but some Belgian goodies make their list as well. Chris had the hop wallop and i did as i always do a mimosa. As part of the buffet you get these amazing sticky buns. Though not a traditional bun it's just as gooey. It's a cross between baklava and a bun. It's made with puff pastry and is probably so bad for you. They only bring out enough buns for the table so one person . They also feature a Benedict while were there it was spinach and crab along with a ham one. I wasn't really a fan the hollandaise sauce was bland and the English muffin was super soggy. Chris ate the rest ( of course). I tried it and and won't make the mistake if ordering in when we come back. Another downside was the coffee tasted slightly old and bitter. For these two flops I deducted a star. The guy working the omelet station was super friendly. Our server was ok , very friendly though. Everyone who comes here on sundays does the buffet and at 17 pp it's a deal and then some . It's about 35-40 min from the de stateline and was pretty easy to find .
(4)Maxine E.
Just came home from my Sisterhood's Closing Dinner at Drafting Room. We were so pleasantly surprised...everything was the best it could possibly be. The food and the choices were astounding, the drinks were plentiful and delicious, the ambiance was perfect, and the service was absolutely impeccable, swift, and friendly. Everyone raved about the evening. Thanks to the staff ...the owner, the cooks, and the servers, we had the best dinner! Hats off. If you have a large group and are looking for a special evening for your guests, this is the place!
(5)Eric W.
OMG, dinner and a show! Friday night we decided for a family dinner and decided on the Drafting Room. Been here a number of times over the years it was always pretty solid, good variety, good quality and good service. What's happened? Walked in and requested a table for 4, the manager asked if we had a reservation. We did not but he sat us immediately at one of the many open tables...really? Ordered drinks, sodas for the girls and Cabernet for us. Possibly the worst red wine I've ever tasted. After a couple attempts, had to send it back. My wife opted for a Malbec and I went for a wheat beer, only to be be told they were out...went for the coke. Started with nachos and crab and spinach dip. Nachos were pretty good (same as Brickside) tomatoes on top were awesome. Crab dip was bland, thought it would be more creamy, not much flavor. At the table we had French Onion soup that was "enh". The ravioli (or whatever pasta it was) was under cooked and smothered under a pretty good sauce. The pasta hadn't absorbed any flavor from the sauce. The brisket was pretty good with the mashed potatoes. Huge salad with a little too much dressing. One part of the show was when the waitress brought out the candied goat cheese and apple salad, she went to set the plate down and the puck of cheese rolled off the plate. My wife asked what that was as it rolled by, and the waitress said "uhm, that was your goat cheese, I'll get you another one". She did but she left the other one splattered on the floor for the rest of our dinner. The show? We had a family next to us that had a young boy that unfortunately had a cough that made a sound I've never heard a human make before. His parents behaved as if nothing happened all night. Virtually impossible not to laugh our heads off. Another table came in on the other side and did the double take looks when they first heard the young boy as it seemed he may cough up a lung at any moment. Even though we were nice about sending back the first wine, it still showed up on the bill. It was worth the $13 for the incredible laughs we had as a family. Good times but we'll be dropping the Drafting Room way down our list of places to eat.
(2)David C.
The Drafting Room has become one of our family's favorite restaurants in the Exton area. They offer a varied and creative regular menu as well as top notch specials every day. They have craft beers on tap and a great selection of other beverages. The cost is reasonable for the quality of the food. They have the best mushroom soup on the planet! We joined their cashback program and love getting money back from each check when we dine. We will be there for Mother's Day brunch as we are every year. I often have midday business meetings here and enjoy the quiet environment of the dining room, while also taking in the happiest of happy hours on a Friday afternoon in their bar area.
(5)B. E.
Yuck. I know the beer list is supposed to be great, but as far as food is concerned, forget it. The dining area is very dark. The tables, chairs and carpet are littered with crumbs. The food is.., well, they had a great mushroom soup. But my "hot ham wrap" was slightly warm on the outside and frigid on the inside. Next time another 45 seconds in the microwave, please. Not a place for good food or pleasant dining.
(1)Kevin D.
Amazing line up of beers, attentive service and waitstaff. The food? Amazing. Insanely awesome nachos. They definitely have a great selection of grub to pair with their brews. Phenomenal atmosphere and must for craft beer advocates.
(4)Kevin M.
This was my second time to the Drafting Room and it was a great meal and we had great service. Pros: The beer selection is insane. I had some really good brews. They brought out brad and butter before the meal which I always like, and for my main course, I went with the Chicken and Sausage. It was awesome. I loved it. Cons: The Decor. The dining room needs a facelift. They need a creative person to get in there and spice it up. They need a unique room that goes with what they are selling. All in all a great place that I will go to again.
(4)Mark G.
The Drafting Room used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area. About 2 years ago I had a couple of so so dinners there so I stayed away. This past week I decided to give it one more shot. That will be my last time there unless something changes. The interior its starting to look run down. I also noticed that all the bartenders and servers I used to see there are gone. Not a good sign. The food was ok but not like it used to be. The one thing that did disgust me was my Caesar salad...it had about a dozen or so wilted pieces of lettuce that were disgusting. How hard is it to make sure the romaine lettuce isn't on the verge of rotten.
(2)Jenna L.
Ambiance is a little old school. Food was decent. I had the turkey burger which was was really thick and topped with feta cheese and red peppers. My coworker ordered the turkey sandwich which looked better than mine. Another coworker got the Buffalo Chicken wrap which was HUGE and it looked delish. Our waitress was pretty rude - did not say one word to us the entire time and didn't acknowledge our order. Definitely would not go back.
(2)Paige G.
I have been to the Drafting Room many times and it never seems to disappoint. The section of beers on tap is pretty extensive. The wild mushroom soup is always a must and has nice big chunk of mushrooms in it which I love. My favorites are the vegetable ravioli, hot roast beef and the moroccan chicken and couscous salad. My only complaint is that they should have more options to accommodate vegetarians on the menu. The desserts are delicious and all homemade. Their carrot cake is one of the best I have ever had.
(4)Marc S.
Truly disappointing what was once one of my favorite restaurants is now a kitchen nightmare waiting for Gordon Ramsay to make his appearance asking WTF is going on!! Raw uncooked poached eggs served on uncooked untoasted English muffins. Just gross! Complain and got incinerated charcoal covered English muffins with eggs so over cooked the yolks were solid! Absolutely ZERO QUALITY CONTROL! stay home not worth $36 for brunch for two hit McDonald's and get yourself an egg mcmuffin or better yet go to Wawa! Either way save your money! Management argued that eggs were supposed to be over cooked .. Gordon Ramsay where are you when you're needed!!!
(1)Gabriel A.
Tried this place out after many suggestions from friends. We went in one night about an hour or so before closing just to find that they were only serving a partial menu - we're not talking that late, it was like, 9:30 on a weekend. There was no mention of going down to a bar menu on the website so I was a bit annoyed by that. Something about 'surprise disappointments that could be totally avoided' really bother me. So, the dish I had picked out online wasn't available and I ordered a burger instead. The server seemed to have a very hard time understanding my burger and suggested that modifications couldn't be made? I told him I'm sure removing a single topping wouldn't cause the kitchen staff any issues... The rest of the meal we were generally ignored and the service wasn't great. I found the food to be overpriced for the quality. Unless there is a special reason to attend, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Laura R.
Been here a number of times for dinner and brunch. Always some new menu options and great beer selection. Tasty nachos, and my favorite is the chocolate chip challah French toast!
(4)Michele N.
We have dinner here every Friday - it is the best food around. We generally go for the specials, they are unique and always very good. The pan seared Icelandic redfish was wonderful.
(5)Julia M.
My boyfriend & I were in the area visiting with his parents and they made a reservation for us here for brunch. I am so glad they did! The place was very busy but they had our table ready when we arrived. I am not normally a big fan of buffets... But they offer a really nice brunch buffett. They had all sorts of "starters" including shrimp cocktail, ceaser salad, a couple of pasta salads, smoked salmon, and various breads. Moving on to the main event, they had breakfast items such as hash brown potatoes, belgian waffles, chocolate chip french toast, bacon, an omlette station, etc. And if you wanted lunch, they also had a couple of pasta options, chicken fingers, roast turkey, and roast beef. After all that, they had another table with fruit & desserts. Additionally, there were a couple of items on the menu that were included in buffet price that your server will bring out. One item is a crab & spinach benedict. Another is a plate of sticky buns... Yum!! Service was good, food was good... I would definitely go back! But if going for brunch, be sure to make a reservation!
(4)Esra K.
The waiter was super nice and so was the owner. So, that part is great and lots of beers to choose from. However, the restaurant is very tired, needs painting redone and in serious need of good cleaning, window sills, bathrooms,... The food is at best mediocre and for the price, definitely not worth it. They are very nice people working there though. So their heart is in it, just need to make some changes.
(2)Victoria W.
Love this place. Drinks are awesome. They don't skimp on the liquor. Food changes. Went there once and LOVED the food went there again and loved the food. Unique dishes, not the everyday joe crap.
(5)Kevin K.
What a terrible meal. The food is simply prepared poorly. My cream of mushroom soup was warm, not hot, and tasted mediocre. The ribeye steak I ordered rare was RAW! My daughters pasta was COLD. The waitress we had was nice but badly trained. The way she talks seemed like she was barking at us, loud and intimidating. This place has seriously gone down hill. The only good thing at this place is the draft beer selection. Come here for a few pints at the bar and eat somewhere else.
(1)Danielle F.
Every time we go to this place, we go because of the enticing beer selections, but time after time we leave disappointed by a complacent bar staff that makes you feel like an inconvenience. It's such a shame. The beer selection is second to none, but this time we had one drink and decided to spend our money elsewhere for dinner. This place has been consistent for sure, every time we go, we get a miserable bartender who seems like they'd rather be working on a slow night when they don't have to talk to people. All of the enticing beer in the world won't bring us back. The owners brother has a great place a few miles away, Brickside Grill, we went there instead...good beer, excellent food and the staff is consistently friendly and engaging!
(1)Charles R.
Had a really good lunch. The moules frites has a good broth, could of used a little more garlic, and was topped with sweet potato fries. The fried chicken BLT was a piece of crispy chicken breast with 2 strips of crispy bacon. It also came with sweet potato fries. I would prefer the option of regular fires, not a fan of sweet potato anything. The raspberry iced tea lacked much flavor of raspberry, but the service was excellent and would go back again, especially for lunch. Think the food is a little better than the Brickside.
(4)Adrian B.
Chopped Greek!! And the bread rolls here are really good - warm and crispy. Usually have a good selection of specials - but otherwise just get a steak and you will be happy.
(4)Frankie V.
They have a very good selection of about 14 Micro Brews on tap. Most of which are from the local area. Reduced prices during happy hour. They also have a large selection of Micro Brew bottles on hand. I go their for the beer. I have eaten their "all you can eat mussels" on a Monday. They were very good. Lots of sausage and decent spice. The bartenders can be hit of miss. The guy is friendly and helpful. The girl is not. Perpetual PMS. I thought she was a man hater, but I have heard other women complain also.
(4)J. C.
Went to drafting room today for Sunday brunch. We live up the street so often go there on a whim for random lunch, dinner, happy hours or brunch - but this time, we went with a couple of friends who also frequent the place. As we were leaving, we all looked at the check and all said - man what a reasonable price for such excellent food. It wasn't cheap, but even at 1:15 pm when the brunch ends at 2:00, everything was very fresh and service was excellent as usual.
(5)Captain K.
Went on Valentine's day with my wife and son. Service was exceptional. Food was about or a little above average. Only two complaints with food: 1) Salmon was a bit undercooked and was really spicy, unusual for Salmon. 2) The fruit tart/studel was horrible. The pastry was so dense you couldn't cut it with the fork, then I tried a knife...that didn't work either. Pulled the fruit out of the pastry and ate just that with the one small scoop of ice cream it came with. The filling wasn't very tasty. The mushroom soup is amazing though!!!''
(4)Nicole L.
The Drafting Room is a decent place if you're looking for table service, Belgian beers and dinner -- but it misses the mark much too often for it to become a regular hangout. Though they have a huge selection of beers and the cheapest Lindeman's fruit lambic in the area, the service is erratic and the food has plummeted in quality since our first visit. My biggest gripes are the sticky tables and menus, crumb-strewn chairs, and flies buzzing at the window. Honestly, a huge turn-off considering they're trying to push themselves as a decent restaurant.
(2)Michael A.
Hands down the best beer and selection in the area. If you love IPAs then this is your spot. The owner seems to somehow procure some of the best vintages of hard to find and reserved beers, especially Sierra Nevada and trogues products. Food is awesome and the staff is attentive and pleasant. If I come to Exton I have to stop in no questions asked.
(5)Michael P.
The beer selection is great and they feature unique and interesting microbrews. I like they offer the beer in 5, 10, and 16 oz pours. It makes it easier to sample many. The food was also very good. I tried the beef brisket - extremely tender.
(4)Ryan G.
Zero stars. Very unclean and below average food.
(1)Bill S.
We love it here. The beer is always new and refreshing. My new favorite part is the homebrew section, it is so much fun. The Nachos are amazing and will fill you up. This is our go to place when friends come to town. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and doesn't rush us out the door when we want to sit and chat.
(5)Adam A.
Very good food for a decent price. We have been here many times. It's actually a special place for my wife and I because it was the restaurant we choose for our first date, as well as where I proposed to her. The managers are very nice and helpful.
(4)Christina S.
I had dinner here with my boyfriend last week for the first time. I had reviewed the menu, and it looked like a place we would both like. It's a rather charming little restaurant. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed was the beer menu. Our waitress was was able to help both of us choose a drink that suited our taste. She even brought my boyfriend a taste of something before he committed to ordering it. We ordered the crab cakes and a special of the day--flat iron pork with Chipotle mashed potatoes, asparagus and charred tomatoes. The pork was cooked perfectly with a bourbon and brown sugar cream sauce that complemented it perfectly. The chipolte mashed potatoes were quite possibly the best part of the meal--I would go back just for them. My boyfriend enjoyed his crab cakes, and the rice they were served with was delicious. The service wasn't the best I've had, our waitress seemed distracted, but it was far from the worst we've had. All in all, we had a great meal, and we plan to go back soon!
(4)Lauren J.
Friendly waiters, great food. Atmosphere is homey and could use some updating, but the rest of the experience is terrific!
(5)Michael K.
Wife and I plus two kids had dinner here. We sat in the bar area, which we prefer to do here. this place is a Great spot in the area for good beers and quality food. The people in the bar area are always very friendly and good service! We ordered something we never had before which was the Asparagus fries. to be honest they were forgetable, not bad, just forgetable... BUT relax because the place is still great. Good menu, not too many items but good choices for everyone. My 3 year old got the chicken fingers and told me they were "yummy" so this place apparently is crushing it in the world of chicken fingers. Great burgers and wings! They always have very good soup as well. My wife often gets the candied walnut and goat cheese salad which is very good. I normally order something that enhaces my gut and goes with my beer so i dont order it much, but if you do want a good salad this one wont leave you disappointed. i think the arrival of some other restaurants have hurt the business here becuase it was a saturday and we were able to get a seat in the bar area which normally would be tough to do. But dont pass this place up for chain restaurants. Great homemade food, good drink selection...you will def get a better meal here than most places in the area!
(4)Jessica K.
A great place to hang out with friends and family! I come here often for a beer or some food. Service is great! The only time I did experience bad service was when I went there on a Sunday for brunch which seems very chaotic to me. Anyways other than that a lovely place I really enjoy! Best food in the area of you ask me!
(4)Charlene F.
Four of us had a fabulous lunch here today with outstanding service! The food was delicious! Mushroom soup, fried asparagus, bison burger, Rubin sandwich and Caesar salad with grilled blackened chicken....every bite was great! The service was A game and on point! Total experience was worth every dime!
(4)Kate M.
Lots to love about this place. Thoughtful menu ideas that change up often enough to not get boring... Always have specials. There is bar side and a dining side and we have dined in both areas often. Bar area has a great happy hour with appetizer deals - spicy creole shrimp dip served hot is delicious with big pieces of shrimp with a side of crostini; Korean tacos yummy; much to choose from. My usually is a Cosmo - served icy cold and perfect; hubby gets beer from eclectic list that changes often. Staff is great - friendly, helpful with the menu and knowledgeable. Top notch and an asset to the Drafting Room. We go often - at least once a week. Never had a bad experience and if anything is not up to par it is addressed professionally and quickly. This place is a class act.
(5)Tom S.
I had to take back a star. When I got back to my hotel room, I felt queasy and just assumed I had gotten some gluten cross contamination. When I rejoined my dinner companions today, the three of them each reported that they felt like they had eaten something "off". My conclusion is that this place needs a visit from Kitchen Nightmares.
(1)Patch L.
We were here for rehearsal dinner and the food was good & service was great! There is plenty of parking but the space inside was limited. They tried to accommodate the large group which was difficult due to the space, it was a bit tight. The group was split among several tables. The staff was great and friendly and very accommodating. It is a nice casual and family friendly place. I would recommend this place and would come again. The price was reasonable and the quality of the food is fresh. I had the 8 oz filet which was cooked perfectly to my liking (med rare) however the outer part had a bit of a burnt taste & I did not care for the goat cheese sauce. The veggie & mashed potatoes were good. For dessert we had the Bailey's creme brûlée which was very good! Overall, this is a nice casual restaurant that offers a good variety of dinner choices and desserts. They also have an extensive list of liquor (wine, beer, cocktails). The service is friendly and helpful. It is a good place for a good time and to socialize (so it can be loud). We had good food & a great time there!
(4)Mike S.
I give it five. Admittedly, my standards aren't very refined. Good selection of crafts, and the best Blackened Steak Salad I have ever had! The live music was very good. Just a guy and his guitar. If I lived here, I would be a regular.
(5)Sarah H.
Absolutely delicious food, although a little over-priced. I love a place with good craft beer, so this place rates high for me in that category. The beer there is very reasonably priced and is also the standard price for the area. The staff there are always very friendly and attentive, I have never had a bad experience there.
(4)Suzann S.
I was here last Sunday for a late lunch and the server was very nice. Unfortunately, the first several beers my friend tried to order they did not have in stock which was confusing because they were all on the menu! The Drafting Room has a nice selection of foods both appetizers, sandwiches, salads, meals, as well as quite a variety depending on your palete. While the food certainly does not make me say, "This is the best sandwich ever." It was not bad either. Overall if you are looking for decent service this is a good place to grab lunch.
(3)Steve H.
Consistently good food, great selection of draft and bottled beer, and an extremely friendly staff.
(5)Sara B.
I'm not a huge beer fan (sorry), but with the impressively large selection available to me at the Drafting Room, I'm always able to find something I like. And, thankfully, they offer a good menu, too. The only thing I've ordered that I didn't like was the French onion soup. I normally love French onion soup, but The Drafting Room's take on it left me a little queasy. But hey, to each his own. Service is always friendly and efficient, and it's not too hard to get a table in the dining room, even on a busy weekend night.
(4)Beatrice R.
I visted The Drafting Room tonight for the first time. It's hidden in a little plaza, and I almost drove by it. It's a romantic, rustic spot with a sports bar on one side and a welcoming dining room on the other. The waiter, although not so friendly, placed me at a comfy 4 person table near the back. I get tired of going out alone so this spot worked well for me since I was not front and center in the dining room. They also have seating outdoors although it's not much to look at. I don't recall seeing any flowers or decorations to m ake it attractive. Anyway, I ordered the crab & corn chowder as an appetizer. I ordered the bowl because it sounded so good. It's even topped with jalapeno spiced bacon...although it was almost TOO much of a kick for me. The chowder was pretty good...salty, creamy & full of carbs. It's tough to go wrong there. I didn't notice much crab, just a few strands here and there so that pissed me off. Don't advertise lump crab if it's not lumps of crab in the dish! I wouldn't get it again, but it was OK. Then I order the $25 ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and onion rings...yum. Anyway, it was annoying because the menu does not mention a side of steamed veggies so I was a bit suprised...in a good way...but it's still annoying when they don't fully disclose. The steak was humungo...layed over a bed of mashed potatoes with TWO...I repeat TWO onion rings. Really? Bummer, but I'm sure my hips will thank me for it. The steak was full of marbling so you only get about a 70/30 meat-to-fat ratio. The potatoes tasted almost instant...that stiff airy texture was noticeable. They may mix instant with real potatoes. Even that would have been OK if they were buttery or creamy, but that was not the case. I was definitely not impressed with this meal. The thing that I noticed most of all was that it took about 30 minutes to get all of that food out to me. They've got loads of prepared food back there, and that's why there wasn't that nice, fresh taste to the dishes. I may visit again at some time in the future but not anytime soon. Next!
(2)John V.
Took the Chicken BLT off of the menu. Stupid move. It was a sure thing at TDR. Chicken livers......I don't think so. Calamari was also a no go.
(2)Steve S.
I give it 3 stars primarily because they introduced me to Troeg's Trogenator and Hacker Pschorr hefeweizen. The bartender seemed almost annoyed to be there, but he was reasonably friendly when you got him to talk. Just not engaging like most bartenders, however his beer knowledge made up for that. The place does lose some stars for the rather bland food. It was probably the most boring ribeye that I've ever had. Was it bad? No, but it was just boring and totally unexceptional.
(3)Patti B.
My husband and I and two friends dined at your restaurant last evening (Thursday) and were so disappointed with our meal. The soup wasn't hot (onion soup) and the fish and chips didn't taste fresh. In fact, the fish was very fishy for cod and we just couldn't eat it. We nibbled on a few french fries which were greasy and room temperature and left very disappointed and upset. We won't be going again in the near future. Too bad because the place has a nice atmosphere and the our waitress was very attentive. Patti
(2)Ryne D.
Experimental dining combined with a large beer list = a fun time, but with a large bill. Let's start with the food...it ranged from average to excellent. I really liked my gumbo, which was served with sriracha of all things. It brought a nice spiciness and sweetness to the gumbo, which came in a pretty big but delicious serving. Tried the salmon which also had a surprising flavor, as did the potatoes that came with it. Sampled one of the specials which was a crusted chicken with sweet potatoes and cranberries. The chicken was a bit too dry here, making the bits of fruit it came with a necessity. The cheese fries were more like sectioned potato parts, barely fried but covered with a cheese unlike that which you'd find on loaded fries. They were pretty good with a flavor that none of us saw coming. See? Experimental. They had an extensive beer list, and when we found out that they served flights that were about the size of a shot glass, the four of us each got a flight of four of their beers: Dogfish Head Aprihop, Manayunk Festivus, 2006 Stone Double Bastard, and something else. I can't remember the fourth beer mainly because our waitress lied. They weren't shot glass sized...they were at least 5 ounces by our measurement. They all had interesting flavors, especially the Festivus, which I was convinced was part maple syrup. Overall, the food and beer were terrific. The only thing holding me back from the 5 stars is that I dropped near $40 for my food, a beer, and the flight. I'd still return...especially with Philly Beer Week coming!
(4)Dave S.
I love this place. Awesome beer selection on tap all the time and they're always changing it up. The food never disappoints - always delicious. It's a real casual place, you can wear shorts and a t-shirt and not be out of place. Some have complained that the atmosphere is bland but I go there to have great food, great beer, and great service!
(5)Marc R.
I have been here a couple of times. The beer list is very very good and reasonably priced. The burgers and steaks are good, haven't had anything else there (sorry). But for the love of God, would it kill you to smile Mr. Bartender? Seriously I get that you may be having a bad day-but don't bring me down. Summary-good beer, good food, bad attitude.
(4)Haden D.
Great beer and gourmet food for a fair price. Specials and beer list change frequently. This is consistently good for the price. My wife and I frequent this place for date night, since we know we will always get a great meal for a good price.
(4)Stephen Z.
Had a great meal here over the weekend and I'll definitely be back. I was here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure why it took so long to get back but I'm glad that I did. After a very long day spent in the car driving it was nice to get to Exton and the respite of the Drafting Room. I thought the menu was great and there were definitely some great specials, one of which I ordered. Even my "hard to please" mother enjoyed what she ordered. The service was attentive and profusely apoligized for a minor slip up. When the food arrived it was aesthetically pleasing and tasted even better. We did get there on the early side of dinner so there were still some empty tables but I'm told that this is the exception. Anyway, look forward to returning to the area so that I can get back to the Drafting Room.
(4)Matt N.
I went to the drating room for the 4th time last night. I am a beer geek, so this place is pretty high on my list. Not only do they have beer dinners to pair the rare beers with menu items, but the taps rotate frequently and include many west coast beers that are to find in my neck of the woods like Pliny the Elder and Angel's Share. I once bought a growler filled with Ommegang Rouge and another w/ Founders Double Trouble. I was given a deal on them since the keg of Ommegang kicked three quarters into the growler. The food is good as far as pub grub goes, but I don't consider this the main reason to come here. I had fried calamari with aioli and my brother also split an order of potato skins topped with cheese and sliced bangers. The flavor was tasty but the batter was slightly greasy. I had a cheesesteak that was slightly dry before. I will definitely return and some of the specials like stout spiked filet sound interesting too. They have a cooler which is visible with a wide variety of bottles including some rare stuff like Weyerbacher Riserva and Old Rasputin XII. They will be having a Sierra Nevada dinner coming up with Edge of Darkness, Brown Saison and Triple which are draft only selections that is reasonably priced. I find the service to be great with one exception and the bartenders know the beers they serve which is a plus. I recommend the Drafting room for anyone who cares about beer.
(4)John B.
Didn't eat here because I got way too full from beer. This place is freakin' great. Very tasteful selection of great draft. The place must have a group of awesome "beer sommeliers" who know what's good this time of season and bring seasonal, good beer from somewhat local breweries around all over the country. I had ottercreek russian stout (which I haven't had a chance to get draft since I moved away from New England area), awesome hop15 (great IPA), and manyunk winter ale (very nutty and hearty). Also the place has a rather impressive selection of single malt scotches. The only caveat? I had to drive back home (Center City) afterwards.
(5)Kate D.
Like the previous Yelpers have stated, this place has a fantastic selection of brews. I have eaten here 4-5 times and have never been disappointed in the food. Very tasty and large portions. I particularly love the sweet potato fries. Hubby likes the mussels and frites as well as their fish and chips, which he is very particular when ordering anywhere. They do interesting salads as well - the moroccan chicken and couscous is one of my favorites, but again, it is a very large portion. Besides the selections on the menu, they always have a good variety of specials written up on the chalk boards. The food is creative and well-executed, and you won't walk out hungry or thirsty.
(3)Party G.
Paulaner Salvator - that starts you off with 6 stars. In fact, they had a whopping JERABOAM of it for sale. Yes, it was indeed purchased on the spot. However, the dining room experience did not match. Food was ok, but nothing to make us want to return and I can get Salvator at Exton Beverage.
(3)Peter A.
Went here on the advice of all the reviews. The beer selection is really something - some 50-70 choices of bottled beer, and a choice of 10-15 unique draft beers (only three of their draft choices are beers you would normally find in a store such as Sierra Nevada). Everything we bought was quite good - as I expected it would be. As far as food goes, it was pretty good, but we only had sandwiches and soups, so can't speak for the entrees. The burger for me was pretty average - I've had better at restaurants/ tap rooms much like this one. The cheese was very thin, and the burger looked like it very well may have been frozen. Bread was good though. So in terms of beer, it blows anything within a 250 mile radius out of the water. In terms of food, nothing too special, but still beats anything you're going to find in the Exxton area (at least in American food)
(4)Rich G.
Great beer list (imagine that!) and great scotch list as well. Food has slipped slightly over the years, but the PB Pie is still the sh!t!!
(4)Ben P.
While visiting from Chicago I was taken to the Drafting Room for lunch by my coworker who lives in the area. We did not visit to drink - just to eat. So my review is based on the restaurant portion and not the bar. The following things about my experience were outstanding: - Service - Cheddar cheeseburger w/ mushrooms - Fries - Sweet potato fries - Raspberry iced tea - Prices The burger was just fantastic. Angus, cooked perfectly, great bun, cheddar and mushrooms were delicious. They were also very accommodating when I asked for yellow mustard instead of dijon, and my dining buddy asked for honey for his sweet potato fries. The rest of the menu looked fabulous including salads and entrees, but unfortunately I was only hungry enough for one meal. There's not a single negative thing I can say about my experience. I will definitely be making a return trip the next time I'm passing through Exton.
(5)Kara T.
We've been going to The Drafting Room for years (in multiple locations) and always had a really good meal, good service, and good drinks. We brought our parents there tonight, and while the service was a little spotty and the waitress perhaps a little TOO over apologetic for the kitchens missteps with our food (salad drenched in dressing, even though we ordered it on the side... Steak too rubbery to chew) it's not a typical problem here and the manager was very sweet and accommodating in taking the questionable item off our bill without us expressly asking for it. So all in all, we wouldn't hesitate in coming back. And the vindaloo mussels were AAAAMAZING.
(4)Howard S.
Consistently one of my favorite restaurants in Exton.
(5)Mark O.
Great beer selection. Way overpriced. Food is not bad. Place is looking run down.
(2)Curt Q.
If you go to the Drafting Room just to try a new, interesting beer, you will never be disapppointed, even if you aren't impressed with the food. But the food is interesting and good enough to stand on it's own.
(4)Jen H.
I have been going to the DR for ages - their beer selection is seriously extensive. My husband is a hard-core beer guy and he loves it. I enjoy a good Belgium ale on occasion myself. Their food is consistently delish - you have to try the mushroom soup, and the peanut butter pie, not necessarily in that order. :) Another reviewer said the decor is lacking - I was just talking about that the last time I was there. I'd like to offer to redo their decor - I'm not a designer but I'm design savvy - I wonder if Andrew(the owner) would accept? I bet I could give them a great makeover for way less than a trained designer - what do you think?
(4)S M.
I've been here several times over the years. The beer selection keeps you coming back. The food has been inconsistent. They offer a nice variety on the menu there's just something lacking that's hard to put your finger on. I enjoyed the French Onion soup on my most recent visit. Service was good on the recent visit. The hostess was very accommodating when we dropped in with a party of 6 on a Saturday evening at 6. They do a good job of keeping the smoking to the bar area which is well away from the non-smoking dining area. I would definitely go there more often if they joined the ranks of Iron Hill, Victory and others by dropping smoking altogether.
(3)Dick D.
Good beer selection. Good service. Good onion soup. Order the Big Fish sandwich; you won't be sorry.
(4)Christine P.
It's around the corner from me so I frequent it often. I love certain things about the place: bloody mary's, mussels, buffalo wings, gumbo, burgers, sweet potato fries, soups. I find certain things on their menu fall short like their French Onion soup (I often wonder how they could mess that up) - they add something in there that I don't like. There are some sandwiches that are made fancier than they should but they will try to accommodate changes. The servers are generally upbeat and helpful. Great little place with modest prices. I bring friends there often - it covers a large range of palettes.
(4)Erin K.
The simple fact that The Drafting Room always has Lindeman's Framboise (and very often has it on tap) should be enough. But it's not. The Drafting Room, besides having an incredibly impressive beer selection, has an incredibly impressive menu. The restaurant has a very non-tap room menu; though there are nachos as an appetizer (HUGE, almost embarrassingly so - but remember, this is a Tap Room too), you'll find everything from fondue to duck. And it's good!
(4)Lisa K.
Great atmosphere, great beers and a menu that fills you with anticipation. Then the food comes and its just kinda bland. Sorry but I find this place a real dissappointment.
(2)Nicole M.
The best selection of beer in the area! They have EVERYTHING here you could ever imagine. This place is great for happy hour and late night gathering. The food is great too!
(5)Paige G.
I have been to the Drafting Room many times and it never seems to disappoint. The section of beers on tap is pretty extensive. The wild mushroom soup is always a must and has nice big chunk of mushrooms in it which I love. My favorites are the vegetable ravioli, hot roast beef and the moroccan chicken and couscous salad. My only complaint is that they should have more options to accommodate vegetarians on the menu. The desserts are delicious and all homemade. Their carrot cake is one of the best I have ever had.
(4)Marc S.
Truly disappointing what was once one of my favorite restaurants is now a kitchen nightmare waiting for Gordon Ramsay to make his appearance asking WTF is going on!! Raw uncooked poached eggs served on uncooked untoasted English muffins. Just gross! Complain and got incinerated charcoal covered English muffins with eggs so over cooked the yolks were solid! Absolutely ZERO QUALITY CONTROL! stay home not worth $36 for brunch for two hit McDonald's and get yourself an egg mcmuffin or better yet go to Wawa! Either way save your money! Management argued that eggs were supposed to be over cooked .. Gordon Ramsay where are you when you're needed!!!
(1)Chris L.
This place is definitely slipping backwards, and was disappointing for the money spent. Seems they are just going through the motions. Crab cakes were mediocre, and one had all kinds of shell left in it. Their flat iron steak came cooked as requested, but was totally ruined by an overpowering chimicharri sauce which was difficult to scrape off. I wonder if the staff has ever tasted this horrible dish? They could serve this sauce on the side if anyone wants it. Mashed potatoes were tasty but just looked like they were ladled on in a big pile....also luke warm. There are much better places for value & care to detail.
(2)Howard S.
Consistently one of my favorite restaurants in Exton.
(5)Mark O.
Great beer selection. Way overpriced. Food is not bad. Place is looking run down.
(2)Eric W.
OMG, dinner and a show! Friday night we decided for a family dinner and decided on the Drafting Room. Been here a number of times over the years it was always pretty solid, good variety, good quality and good service. What's happened? Walked in and requested a table for 4, the manager asked if we had a reservation. We did not but he sat us immediately at one of the many open tables...really? Ordered drinks, sodas for the girls and Cabernet for us. Possibly the worst red wine I've ever tasted. After a couple attempts, had to send it back. My wife opted for a Malbec and I went for a wheat beer, only to be be told they were out...went for the coke. Started with nachos and crab and spinach dip. Nachos were pretty good (same as Brickside) tomatoes on top were awesome. Crab dip was bland, thought it would be more creamy, not much flavor. At the table we had French Onion soup that was "enh". The ravioli (or whatever pasta it was) was under cooked and smothered under a pretty good sauce. The pasta hadn't absorbed any flavor from the sauce. The brisket was pretty good with the mashed potatoes. Huge salad with a little too much dressing. One part of the show was when the waitress brought out the candied goat cheese and apple salad, she went to set the plate down and the puck of cheese rolled off the plate. My wife asked what that was as it rolled by, and the waitress said "uhm, that was your goat cheese, I'll get you another one". She did but she left the other one splattered on the floor for the rest of our dinner. The show? We had a family next to us that had a young boy that unfortunately had a cough that made a sound I've never heard a human make before. His parents behaved as if nothing happened all night. Virtually impossible not to laugh our heads off. Another table came in on the other side and did the double take looks when they first heard the young boy as it seemed he may cough up a lung at any moment. Even though we were nice about sending back the first wine, it still showed up on the bill. It was worth the $13 for the incredible laughs we had as a family. Good times but we'll be dropping the Drafting Room way down our list of places to eat.
(2)Beatrice R.
I visted The Drafting Room tonight for the first time. It's hidden in a little plaza, and I almost drove by it. It's a romantic, rustic spot with a sports bar on one side and a welcoming dining room on the other. The waiter, although not so friendly, placed me at a comfy 4 person table near the back. I get tired of going out alone so this spot worked well for me since I was not front and center in the dining room. They also have seating outdoors although it's not much to look at. I don't recall seeing any flowers or decorations to m ake it attractive. Anyway, I ordered the crab & corn chowder as an appetizer. I ordered the bowl because it sounded so good. It's even topped with jalapeno spiced bacon...although it was almost TOO much of a kick for me. The chowder was pretty good...salty, creamy & full of carbs. It's tough to go wrong there. I didn't notice much crab, just a few strands here and there so that pissed me off. Don't advertise lump crab if it's not lumps of crab in the dish! I wouldn't get it again, but it was OK. Then I order the $25 ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and onion rings...yum. Anyway, it was annoying because the menu does not mention a side of steamed veggies so I was a bit suprised...in a good way...but it's still annoying when they don't fully disclose. The steak was humungo...layed over a bed of mashed potatoes with TWO...I repeat TWO onion rings. Really? Bummer, but I'm sure my hips will thank me for it. The steak was full of marbling so you only get about a 70/30 meat-to-fat ratio. The potatoes tasted almost instant...that stiff airy texture was noticeable. They may mix instant with real potatoes. Even that would have been OK if they were buttery or creamy, but that was not the case. I was definitely not impressed with this meal. The thing that I noticed most of all was that it took about 30 minutes to get all of that food out to me. They've got loads of prepared food back there, and that's why there wasn't that nice, fresh taste to the dishes. I may visit again at some time in the future but not anytime soon. Next!
(2)John V.
Took the Chicken BLT off of the menu. Stupid move. It was a sure thing at TDR. Chicken livers......I don't think so. Calamari was also a no go.
(2)Steve S.
I give it 3 stars primarily because they introduced me to Troeg's Trogenator and Hacker Pschorr hefeweizen. The bartender seemed almost annoyed to be there, but he was reasonably friendly when you got him to talk. Just not engaging like most bartenders, however his beer knowledge made up for that. The place does lose some stars for the rather bland food. It was probably the most boring ribeye that I've ever had. Was it bad? No, but it was just boring and totally unexceptional.
(3)Marc R.
I have been here a couple of times. The beer list is very very good and reasonably priced. The burgers and steaks are good, haven't had anything else there (sorry). But for the love of God, would it kill you to smile Mr. Bartender? Seriously I get that you may be having a bad day-but don't bring me down. Summary-good beer, good food, bad attitude.
(4)Haden D.
Great beer and gourmet food for a fair price. Specials and beer list change frequently. This is consistently good for the price. My wife and I frequent this place for date night, since we know we will always get a great meal for a good price.
(4)Stephen Z.
Had a great meal here over the weekend and I'll definitely be back. I was here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure why it took so long to get back but I'm glad that I did. After a very long day spent in the car driving it was nice to get to Exton and the respite of the Drafting Room. I thought the menu was great and there were definitely some great specials, one of which I ordered. Even my "hard to please" mother enjoyed what she ordered. The service was attentive and profusely apoligized for a minor slip up. When the food arrived it was aesthetically pleasing and tasted even better. We did get there on the early side of dinner so there were still some empty tables but I'm told that this is the exception. Anyway, look forward to returning to the area so that I can get back to the Drafting Room.
(4)Patti B.
My husband and I and two friends dined at your restaurant last evening (Thursday) and were so disappointed with our meal. The soup wasn't hot (onion soup) and the fish and chips didn't taste fresh. In fact, the fish was very fishy for cod and we just couldn't eat it. We nibbled on a few french fries which were greasy and room temperature and left very disappointed and upset. We won't be going again in the near future. Too bad because the place has a nice atmosphere and the our waitress was very attentive. Patti
(2)Matt N.
I went to the drating room for the 4th time last night. I am a beer geek, so this place is pretty high on my list. Not only do they have beer dinners to pair the rare beers with menu items, but the taps rotate frequently and include many west coast beers that are to find in my neck of the woods like Pliny the Elder and Angel's Share. I once bought a growler filled with Ommegang Rouge and another w/ Founders Double Trouble. I was given a deal on them since the keg of Ommegang kicked three quarters into the growler. The food is good as far as pub grub goes, but I don't consider this the main reason to come here. I had fried calamari with aioli and my brother also split an order of potato skins topped with cheese and sliced bangers. The flavor was tasty but the batter was slightly greasy. I had a cheesesteak that was slightly dry before. I will definitely return and some of the specials like stout spiked filet sound interesting too. They have a cooler which is visible with a wide variety of bottles including some rare stuff like Weyerbacher Riserva and Old Rasputin XII. They will be having a Sierra Nevada dinner coming up with Edge of Darkness, Brown Saison and Triple which are draft only selections that is reasonably priced. I find the service to be great with one exception and the bartenders know the beers they serve which is a plus. I recommend the Drafting room for anyone who cares about beer.
(4)John B.
Didn't eat here because I got way too full from beer. This place is freakin' great. Very tasteful selection of great draft. The place must have a group of awesome "beer sommeliers" who know what's good this time of season and bring seasonal, good beer from somewhat local breweries around all over the country. I had ottercreek russian stout (which I haven't had a chance to get draft since I moved away from New England area), awesome hop15 (great IPA), and manyunk winter ale (very nutty and hearty). Also the place has a rather impressive selection of single malt scotches. The only caveat? I had to drive back home (Center City) afterwards.
(5)Rich G.
Great beer list (imagine that!) and great scotch list as well. Food has slipped slightly over the years, but the PB Pie is still the sh!t!!
(4)Kate D.
Like the previous Yelpers have stated, this place has a fantastic selection of brews. I have eaten here 4-5 times and have never been disappointed in the food. Very tasty and large portions. I particularly love the sweet potato fries. Hubby likes the mussels and frites as well as their fish and chips, which he is very particular when ordering anywhere. They do interesting salads as well - the moroccan chicken and couscous is one of my favorites, but again, it is a very large portion. Besides the selections on the menu, they always have a good variety of specials written up on the chalk boards. The food is creative and well-executed, and you won't walk out hungry or thirsty.
(3)Peter A.
Went here on the advice of all the reviews. The beer selection is really something - some 50-70 choices of bottled beer, and a choice of 10-15 unique draft beers (only three of their draft choices are beers you would normally find in a store such as Sierra Nevada). Everything we bought was quite good - as I expected it would be. As far as food goes, it was pretty good, but we only had sandwiches and soups, so can't speak for the entrees. The burger for me was pretty average - I've had better at restaurants/ tap rooms much like this one. The cheese was very thin, and the burger looked like it very well may have been frozen. Bread was good though. So in terms of beer, it blows anything within a 250 mile radius out of the water. In terms of food, nothing too special, but still beats anything you're going to find in the Exxton area (at least in American food)
(4)Ben P.
While visiting from Chicago I was taken to the Drafting Room for lunch by my coworker who lives in the area. We did not visit to drink - just to eat. So my review is based on the restaurant portion and not the bar. The following things about my experience were outstanding: - Service - Cheddar cheeseburger w/ mushrooms - Fries - Sweet potato fries - Raspberry iced tea - Prices The burger was just fantastic. Angus, cooked perfectly, great bun, cheddar and mushrooms were delicious. They were also very accommodating when I asked for yellow mustard instead of dijon, and my dining buddy asked for honey for his sweet potato fries. The rest of the menu looked fabulous including salads and entrees, but unfortunately I was only hungry enough for one meal. There's not a single negative thing I can say about my experience. I will definitely be making a return trip the next time I'm passing through Exton.
(5)Kara T.
We've been going to The Drafting Room for years (in multiple locations) and always had a really good meal, good service, and good drinks. We brought our parents there tonight, and while the service was a little spotty and the waitress perhaps a little TOO over apologetic for the kitchens missteps with our food (salad drenched in dressing, even though we ordered it on the side... Steak too rubbery to chew) it's not a typical problem here and the manager was very sweet and accommodating in taking the questionable item off our bill without us expressly asking for it. So all in all, we wouldn't hesitate in coming back. And the vindaloo mussels were AAAAMAZING.
(4)Curt Q.
If you go to the Drafting Room just to try a new, interesting beer, you will never be disapppointed, even if you aren't impressed with the food. But the food is interesting and good enough to stand on it's own.
(4)Party G.
Paulaner Salvator - that starts you off with 6 stars. In fact, they had a whopping JERABOAM of it for sale. Yes, it was indeed purchased on the spot. However, the dining room experience did not match. Food was ok, but nothing to make us want to return and I can get Salvator at Exton Beverage.
(3)Sara B.
I'm not a huge beer fan (sorry), but with the impressively large selection available to me at the Drafting Room, I'm always able to find something I like. And, thankfully, they offer a good menu, too. The only thing I've ordered that I didn't like was the French onion soup. I normally love French onion soup, but The Drafting Room's take on it left me a little queasy. But hey, to each his own. Service is always friendly and efficient, and it's not too hard to get a table in the dining room, even on a busy weekend night.
(4)Jen H.
I have been going to the DR for ages - their beer selection is seriously extensive. My husband is a hard-core beer guy and he loves it. I enjoy a good Belgium ale on occasion myself. Their food is consistently delish - you have to try the mushroom soup, and the peanut butter pie, not necessarily in that order. :) Another reviewer said the decor is lacking - I was just talking about that the last time I was there. I'd like to offer to redo their decor - I'm not a designer but I'm design savvy - I wonder if Andrew(the owner) would accept? I bet I could give them a great makeover for way less than a trained designer - what do you think?
(4)S M.
I've been here several times over the years. The beer selection keeps you coming back. The food has been inconsistent. They offer a nice variety on the menu there's just something lacking that's hard to put your finger on. I enjoyed the French Onion soup on my most recent visit. Service was good on the recent visit. The hostess was very accommodating when we dropped in with a party of 6 on a Saturday evening at 6. They do a good job of keeping the smoking to the bar area which is well away from the non-smoking dining area. I would definitely go there more often if they joined the ranks of Iron Hill, Victory and others by dropping smoking altogether.
(3)Dick D.
Good beer selection. Good service. Good onion soup. Order the Big Fish sandwich; you won't be sorry.
(4)Christine P.
It's around the corner from me so I frequent it often. I love certain things about the place: bloody mary's, mussels, buffalo wings, gumbo, burgers, sweet potato fries, soups. I find certain things on their menu fall short like their French Onion soup (I often wonder how they could mess that up) - they add something in there that I don't like. There are some sandwiches that are made fancier than they should but they will try to accommodate changes. The servers are generally upbeat and helpful. Great little place with modest prices. I bring friends there often - it covers a large range of palettes.
(4)Erin K.
The simple fact that The Drafting Room always has Lindeman's Framboise (and very often has it on tap) should be enough. But it's not. The Drafting Room, besides having an incredibly impressive beer selection, has an incredibly impressive menu. The restaurant has a very non-tap room menu; though there are nachos as an appetizer (HUGE, almost embarrassingly so - but remember, this is a Tap Room too), you'll find everything from fondue to duck. And it's good!
(4)Lisa K.
Great atmosphere, great beers and a menu that fills you with anticipation. Then the food comes and its just kinda bland. Sorry but I find this place a real dissappointment.
(2)Nicole M.
The best selection of beer in the area! They have EVERYTHING here you could ever imagine. This place is great for happy hour and late night gathering. The food is great too!
(5)R. M.
I really want to like this place. Nice service, decent prices, good atmospehre. The variety on the menu is good and the presentation is imaginative. But the food quality is pretty average. I had some of the worst mussels I've ever had - and the rest of our meal was failry institutional in quality. Decent selection of beer and wine, but it doesn't offset the rest. Had the same results before, so can't say I'll return.
(2)Jim J.
This place is great! A friend recommended it to me for the creative menu. She was right. Excellent food, creatively done with generous portions. Now let's talk beer, better yet, let's drink some. At the Drafting Room you will never, and I mean NEVER be at a loss for a beer to try. They have (almost) everything. They even have Spaten Celebrator Dopplebock, which is hard to find. Plus they have a host of different seasonal beers on tap, and the selection constantly changes. Lots of scotch too, though I'm not a scotch drinker myself. Highly recommended.
(4)Damien H.
Good Arnold Palmer, Excellent lunch menu, great service!
(4)lee c.
I've been to the taproom once or twice. I always love their eccentric selection of beers. The last time i was there i got a troeg's oatmeal stout mmmmm. The atmospere is simple and suburban-ish, but fortunately, doesn't feel like you're at the Applebee's bar or something like that. There is a restaurant attached and i've heard good things about it, but i've yet to eat there.
(4)James W.
The Drafting Room is a staple for beer lovers in the Chester County area. Voted one of the "Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America" (based on BeerFly Reviews - link at bottom of this review), the Drafting Room goes well above and beyond to ensure its draughts are different, desirable, and delicious. In 2007 alone, they tapped 313 different beers, most from well-regarded US microbreweries, with a focus on Mid-Atlantic brews from Sly Fox, Victory, Brooklyn, Weyerbacher, Oomegang, and others (see their site for the full 2007 list). As Erin mentioned in her review they always have Lindemans' Lambics on draught (though not always framboise), and their bottle selection is similarly exceptional. In short, The Drafting Room is probably the best taproom in the area for anyone wanting to surprise themselves with some excellent beer choices from the finest crafters in the US and beyond (although TJ's Everyday is making a run for it). The DR also occasionally hosts beer events there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, such as "Heavyweight Down for the Count" to say goodbye to the beloved NJ brewery and other tastings. These can get crowded but are a lot of fun and the people that are attracted are lively area beer aficionados. The icing on the cake is that the DR's food is great too. The nachos aren't the hugest I've seen but are perhaps the best in the area (they use the tri-color chips and put a layer of refried beans on the plate for dipping). They have an excellent weekend brunch buffet with many delicious choices such as made-to-order omlettes, roast beef, waffles, bread pudding, salmon, maki roll, bagels, home fries, mac & cheese, pastries, salads, etc. Seating can be scarce so be sure to make a reservation. They know how to make a good Bloody Mary so if you go for the brunch, give one a try. The waitstaff is universally cheerful and pleasant. Unlike most places, we tend to get in jokey conversations with our waitstaffers whenever we visit, because they seem so open, laid back, and approachable. They have a few outdoor tables in front of the bar area that I highly recommend if the weather permits. I've had a few wonderful evenings out there sipping great beers and munching on tasty appetizers. The only thing that is lacking, in my opinion (and those that I know that frequent the DR), is the decor. The DR has been very successful but they haven't updated their decor in a long time and I've heard their bar area described as "airport bar chic" (sarcastically). I share the opinion that it's time for them to roll some money into renovating and updating the worn & dated interior to enrich the overall experience, but this is a small gripe among so many positives. If you love beer and are in the area, you should also hit Victory Brewing Company, about 15minutes drive from the Drafting Room. Links: Top 50 Places to Have a Beer in America: beeradvocate.com/acbw/20… Victory Brewing Company: yelp.com/biz/victory-bre… Heavyweight Down for the Count: brewlounge.com/2006/08/b… TJ's Everyday (about 15 Minutes from the DR): yelp.com/biz/tjs-everyda…
(5)Sara G.
Great beer selection. However, we were disappointed with our meals (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts). It was all rather boring and bland and did not meet the expectations based on the menu. Maybe lunch is better, but we won't be trying this place again.
(2)Suzann S.
I was here last Sunday for a late lunch and the server was very nice. Unfortunately, the first several beers my friend tried to order they did not have in stock which was confusing because they were all on the menu! The Drafting Room has a nice selection of foods both appetizers, sandwiches, salads, meals, as well as quite a variety depending on your palete. While the food certainly does not make me say, "This is the best sandwich ever." It was not bad either. Overall if you are looking for decent service this is a good place to grab lunch.
(3)Steve H.
Consistently good food, great selection of draft and bottled beer, and an extremely friendly staff.
(5)Gabriel A.
Tried this place out after many suggestions from friends. We went in one night about an hour or so before closing just to find that they were only serving a partial menu - we're not talking that late, it was like, 9:30 on a weekend. There was no mention of going down to a bar menu on the website so I was a bit annoyed by that. Something about 'surprise disappointments that could be totally avoided' really bother me. So, the dish I had picked out online wasn't available and I ordered a burger instead. The server seemed to have a very hard time understanding my burger and suggested that modifications couldn't be made? I told him I'm sure removing a single topping wouldn't cause the kitchen staff any issues... The rest of the meal we were generally ignored and the service wasn't great. I found the food to be overpriced for the quality. Unless there is a special reason to attend, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Julia M.
My boyfriend & I were in the area visiting with his parents and they made a reservation for us here for brunch. I am so glad they did! The place was very busy but they had our table ready when we arrived. I am not normally a big fan of buffets... But they offer a really nice brunch buffett. They had all sorts of "starters" including shrimp cocktail, ceaser salad, a couple of pasta salads, smoked salmon, and various breads. Moving on to the main event, they had breakfast items such as hash brown potatoes, belgian waffles, chocolate chip french toast, bacon, an omlette station, etc. And if you wanted lunch, they also had a couple of pasta options, chicken fingers, roast turkey, and roast beef. After all that, they had another table with fruit & desserts. Additionally, there were a couple of items on the menu that were included in buffet price that your server will bring out. One item is a crab & spinach benedict. Another is a plate of sticky buns... Yum!! Service was good, food was good... I would definitely go back! But if going for brunch, be sure to make a reservation!
(4)Esra K.
The waiter was super nice and so was the owner. So, that part is great and lots of beers to choose from. However, the restaurant is very tired, needs painting redone and in serious need of good cleaning, window sills, bathrooms,... The food is at best mediocre and for the price, definitely not worth it. They are very nice people working there though. So their heart is in it, just need to make some changes.
(2)Victoria W.
Love this place. Drinks are awesome. They don't skimp on the liquor. Food changes. Went there once and LOVED the food went there again and loved the food. Unique dishes, not the everyday joe crap.
(5)J. C.
Went to drafting room today for Sunday brunch. We live up the street so often go there on a whim for random lunch, dinner, happy hours or brunch - but this time, we went with a couple of friends who also frequent the place. As we were leaving, we all looked at the check and all said - man what a reasonable price for such excellent food. It wasn't cheap, but even at 1:15 pm when the brunch ends at 2:00, everything was very fresh and service was excellent as usual.
(5)Christina S.
I had dinner here with my boyfriend last week for the first time. I had reviewed the menu, and it looked like a place we would both like. It's a rather charming little restaurant. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed was the beer menu. Our waitress was was able to help both of us choose a drink that suited our taste. She even brought my boyfriend a taste of something before he committed to ordering it. We ordered the crab cakes and a special of the day--flat iron pork with Chipotle mashed potatoes, asparagus and charred tomatoes. The pork was cooked perfectly with a bourbon and brown sugar cream sauce that complemented it perfectly. The chipolte mashed potatoes were quite possibly the best part of the meal--I would go back just for them. My boyfriend enjoyed his crab cakes, and the rice they were served with was delicious. The service wasn't the best I've had, our waitress seemed distracted, but it was far from the worst we've had. All in all, we had a great meal, and we plan to go back soon!
(4)Lauren J.
Friendly waiters, great food. Atmosphere is homey and could use some updating, but the rest of the experience is terrific!
(5)Michael K.
Wife and I plus two kids had dinner here. We sat in the bar area, which we prefer to do here. this place is a Great spot in the area for good beers and quality food. The people in the bar area are always very friendly and good service! We ordered something we never had before which was the Asparagus fries. to be honest they were forgetable, not bad, just forgetable... BUT relax because the place is still great. Good menu, not too many items but good choices for everyone. My 3 year old got the chicken fingers and told me they were "yummy" so this place apparently is crushing it in the world of chicken fingers. Great burgers and wings! They always have very good soup as well. My wife often gets the candied walnut and goat cheese salad which is very good. I normally order something that enhaces my gut and goes with my beer so i dont order it much, but if you do want a good salad this one wont leave you disappointed. i think the arrival of some other restaurants have hurt the business here becuase it was a saturday and we were able to get a seat in the bar area which normally would be tough to do. But dont pass this place up for chain restaurants. Great homemade food, good drink selection...you will def get a better meal here than most places in the area!
(4)Jessica K.
A great place to hang out with friends and family! I come here often for a beer or some food. Service is great! The only time I did experience bad service was when I went there on a Sunday for brunch which seems very chaotic to me. Anyways other than that a lovely place I really enjoy! Best food in the area of you ask me!
(4)Charlene F.
Four of us had a fabulous lunch here today with outstanding service! The food was delicious! Mushroom soup, fried asparagus, bison burger, Rubin sandwich and Caesar salad with grilled blackened chicken....every bite was great! The service was A game and on point! Total experience was worth every dime!
(4)Captain K.
Went on Valentine's day with my wife and son. Service was exceptional. Food was about or a little above average. Only two complaints with food: 1) Salmon was a bit undercooked and was really spicy, unusual for Salmon. 2) The fruit tart/studel was horrible. The pastry was so dense you couldn't cut it with the fork, then I tried a knife...that didn't work either. Pulled the fruit out of the pastry and ate just that with the one small scoop of ice cream it came with. The filling wasn't very tasty. The mushroom soup is amazing though!!!''
(4)Kate M.
Lots to love about this place. Thoughtful menu ideas that change up often enough to not get boring... Always have specials. There is bar side and a dining side and we have dined in both areas often. Bar area has a great happy hour with appetizer deals - spicy creole shrimp dip served hot is delicious with big pieces of shrimp with a side of crostini; Korean tacos yummy; much to choose from. My usually is a Cosmo - served icy cold and perfect; hubby gets beer from eclectic list that changes often. Staff is great - friendly, helpful with the menu and knowledgeable. Top notch and an asset to the Drafting Room. We go often - at least once a week. Never had a bad experience and if anything is not up to par it is addressed professionally and quickly. This place is a class act.
(5)Tom S.
I had to take back a star. When I got back to my hotel room, I felt queasy and just assumed I had gotten some gluten cross contamination. When I rejoined my dinner companions today, the three of them each reported that they felt like they had eaten something "off". My conclusion is that this place needs a visit from Kitchen Nightmares.
(1)Michael A.
Hands down the best beer and selection in the area. If you love IPAs then this is your spot. The owner seems to somehow procure some of the best vintages of hard to find and reserved beers, especially Sierra Nevada and trogues products. Food is awesome and the staff is attentive and pleasant. If I come to Exton I have to stop in no questions asked.
(5)Patch L.
We were here for rehearsal dinner and the food was good & service was great! There is plenty of parking but the space inside was limited. They tried to accommodate the large group which was difficult due to the space, it was a bit tight. The group was split among several tables. The staff was great and friendly and very accommodating. It is a nice casual and family friendly place. I would recommend this place and would come again. The price was reasonable and the quality of the food is fresh. I had the 8 oz filet which was cooked perfectly to my liking (med rare) however the outer part had a bit of a burnt taste & I did not care for the goat cheese sauce. The veggie & mashed potatoes were good. For dessert we had the Bailey's creme brûlée which was very good! Overall, this is a nice casual restaurant that offers a good variety of dinner choices and desserts. They also have an extensive list of liquor (wine, beer, cocktails). The service is friendly and helpful. It is a good place for a good time and to socialize (so it can be loud). We had good food & a great time there!
(4)Mike S.
I give it five. Admittedly, my standards aren't very refined. Good selection of crafts, and the best Blackened Steak Salad I have ever had! The live music was very good. Just a guy and his guitar. If I lived here, I would be a regular.
(5)Sarah H.
Absolutely delicious food, although a little over-priced. I love a place with good craft beer, so this place rates high for me in that category. The beer there is very reasonably priced and is also the standard price for the area. The staff there are always very friendly and attentive, I have never had a bad experience there.
(4)Charles R.
Had a really good lunch. The moules frites has a good broth, could of used a little more garlic, and was topped with sweet potato fries. The fried chicken BLT was a piece of crispy chicken breast with 2 strips of crispy bacon. It also came with sweet potato fries. I would prefer the option of regular fires, not a fan of sweet potato anything. The raspberry iced tea lacked much flavor of raspberry, but the service was excellent and would go back again, especially for lunch. Think the food is a little better than the Brickside.
(4)Laura R.
Been here a number of times for dinner and brunch. Always some new menu options and great beer selection. Tasty nachos, and my favorite is the chocolate chip challah French toast!
(4)Michele N.
We have dinner here every Friday - it is the best food around. We generally go for the specials, they are unique and always very good. The pan seared Icelandic redfish was wonderful.
(5)Kevin K.
What a terrible meal. The food is simply prepared poorly. My cream of mushroom soup was warm, not hot, and tasted mediocre. The ribeye steak I ordered rare was RAW! My daughters pasta was COLD. The waitress we had was nice but badly trained. The way she talks seemed like she was barking at us, loud and intimidating. This place has seriously gone down hill. The only good thing at this place is the draft beer selection. Come here for a few pints at the bar and eat somewhere else.
(1)Danielle F.
Every time we go to this place, we go because of the enticing beer selections, but time after time we leave disappointed by a complacent bar staff that makes you feel like an inconvenience. It's such a shame. The beer selection is second to none, but this time we had one drink and decided to spend our money elsewhere for dinner. This place has been consistent for sure, every time we go, we get a miserable bartender who seems like they'd rather be working on a slow night when they don't have to talk to people. All of the enticing beer in the world won't bring us back. The owners brother has a great place a few miles away, Brickside Grill, we went there instead...good beer, excellent food and the staff is consistently friendly and engaging!
(1)Adrian B.
Chopped Greek!! And the bread rolls here are really good - warm and crispy. Usually have a good selection of specials - but otherwise just get a steak and you will be happy.
(4)Maxine E.
Just came home from my Sisterhood's Closing Dinner at Drafting Room. We were so pleasantly surprised...everything was the best it could possibly be. The food and the choices were astounding, the drinks were plentiful and delicious, the ambiance was perfect, and the service was absolutely impeccable, swift, and friendly. Everyone raved about the evening. Thanks to the staff ...the owner, the cooks, and the servers, we had the best dinner! Hats off. If you have a large group and are looking for a special evening for your guests, this is the place!
(5)Aaliyah P.
Came here for the brunch buffet and the great beer options for the boy. Buffet has a great balance . Salads , bagels with lox, omelet station and so much more. They feature a lot more local options for beers which is great for your wallet but some Belgian goodies make their list as well. Chris had the hop wallop and i did as i always do a mimosa. As part of the buffet you get these amazing sticky buns. Though not a traditional bun it's just as gooey. It's a cross between baklava and a bun. It's made with puff pastry and is probably so bad for you. They only bring out enough buns for the table so one person . They also feature a Benedict while were there it was spinach and crab along with a ham one. I wasn't really a fan the hollandaise sauce was bland and the English muffin was super soggy. Chris ate the rest ( of course). I tried it and and won't make the mistake if ordering in when we come back. Another downside was the coffee tasted slightly old and bitter. For these two flops I deducted a star. The guy working the omelet station was super friendly. Our server was ok , very friendly though. Everyone who comes here on sundays does the buffet and at 17 pp it's a deal and then some . It's about 35-40 min from the de stateline and was pretty easy to find .
(4)Frankie V.
They have a very good selection of about 14 Micro Brews on tap. Most of which are from the local area. Reduced prices during happy hour. They also have a large selection of Micro Brew bottles on hand. I go their for the beer. I have eaten their "all you can eat mussels" on a Monday. They were very good. Lots of sausage and decent spice. The bartenders can be hit of miss. The guy is friendly and helpful. The girl is not. Perpetual PMS. I thought she was a man hater, but I have heard other women complain also.
(4)Nicole L.
The Drafting Room is a decent place if you're looking for table service, Belgian beers and dinner -- but it misses the mark much too often for it to become a regular hangout. Though they have a huge selection of beers and the cheapest Lindeman's fruit lambic in the area, the service is erratic and the food has plummeted in quality since our first visit. My biggest gripes are the sticky tables and menus, crumb-strewn chairs, and flies buzzing at the window. Honestly, a huge turn-off considering they're trying to push themselves as a decent restaurant.
(2)Michael P.
The beer selection is great and they feature unique and interesting microbrews. I like they offer the beer in 5, 10, and 16 oz pours. It makes it easier to sample many. The food was also very good. I tried the beef brisket - extremely tender.
(4)Ryan G.
Zero stars. Very unclean and below average food.
(1)Bill S.
We love it here. The beer is always new and refreshing. My new favorite part is the homebrew section, it is so much fun. The Nachos are amazing and will fill you up. This is our go to place when friends come to town. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and doesn't rush us out the door when we want to sit and chat.
(5)Adam A.
Very good food for a decent price. We have been here many times. It's actually a special place for my wife and I because it was the restaurant we choose for our first date, as well as where I proposed to her. The managers are very nice and helpful.
(4)David C.
The Drafting Room has become one of our family's favorite restaurants in the Exton area. They offer a varied and creative regular menu as well as top notch specials every day. They have craft beers on tap and a great selection of other beverages. The cost is reasonable for the quality of the food. They have the best mushroom soup on the planet! We joined their cashback program and love getting money back from each check when we dine. We will be there for Mother's Day brunch as we are every year. I often have midday business meetings here and enjoy the quiet environment of the dining room, while also taking in the happiest of happy hours on a Friday afternoon in their bar area.
(5)B. E.
Yuck. I know the beer list is supposed to be great, but as far as food is concerned, forget it. The dining area is very dark. The tables, chairs and carpet are littered with crumbs. The food is.., well, they had a great mushroom soup. But my "hot ham wrap" was slightly warm on the outside and frigid on the inside. Next time another 45 seconds in the microwave, please. Not a place for good food or pleasant dining.
(1)Kevin D.
Amazing line up of beers, attentive service and waitstaff. The food? Amazing. Insanely awesome nachos. They definitely have a great selection of grub to pair with their brews. Phenomenal atmosphere and must for craft beer advocates.
(4)Kevin M.
This was my second time to the Drafting Room and it was a great meal and we had great service. Pros: The beer selection is insane. I had some really good brews. They brought out brad and butter before the meal which I always like, and for my main course, I went with the Chicken and Sausage. It was awesome. I loved it. Cons: The Decor. The dining room needs a facelift. They need a creative person to get in there and spice it up. They need a unique room that goes with what they are selling. All in all a great place that I will go to again.
(4)Mark G.
The Drafting Room used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area. About 2 years ago I had a couple of so so dinners there so I stayed away. This past week I decided to give it one more shot. That will be my last time there unless something changes. The interior its starting to look run down. I also noticed that all the bartenders and servers I used to see there are gone. Not a good sign. The food was ok but not like it used to be. The one thing that did disgust me was my Caesar salad...it had about a dozen or so wilted pieces of lettuce that were disgusting. How hard is it to make sure the romaine lettuce isn't on the verge of rotten.
(2)Jenna L.
Ambiance is a little old school. Food was decent. I had the turkey burger which was was really thick and topped with feta cheese and red peppers. My coworker ordered the turkey sandwich which looked better than mine. Another coworker got the Buffalo Chicken wrap which was HUGE and it looked delish. Our waitress was pretty rude - did not say one word to us the entire time and didn't acknowledge our order. Definitely would not go back.
(2)